The Peak of Shared Skies

First of all, I'd like to precede by saying that there are two happenings this weekend that would usually be a prime highlight, but since today is the end of the Pokémon Go season and tomorrow is the start of the next one, I've decided to let those two take precedence instead. Back to the matter of the end of the season, its moniker is "Shared Skies", and that suggests a lot of things, both for Pokémon Go as the namesake and for Pokémon in general. As usual, this end-of-season post will try to cover both.

Considering Pokémon Go, the content is (and was) sky-high, although some had errors that were also sky-high and thus had do-overs that in turn were sky-high as well. Because this season also being the typical season for Pokémon Go Fest, said event was necessitated to be sky-high nonetheless, and it also was. As for the "shared" element, that comes naturally for that big event, but every featured Pokémon had to vie for the spotlight somehow - and they did, sharing their places with others in or under the sky.

As for other Pokémon happenings, this also becomes the typical season for the World Championships, and that's a usual way of "sharing the skies" for all Pokémon games - at least, the majority that fans play and compete against - including and beyond Pokémon Go. Yet it did seem special and apropos given its location and its goings-on there. Past that, the other games could be construed to have their fill of happenings in a shared sky.

Though not always certain or evident, if this season has anything to say, the (Pokémon) skies are often open for things to fill and share that space. That means the species and people who deal with them, in a literal sense, but also means the interactions that occur among them, which are reflected in the happenings. The openness would also reflect the continuity of all things Pokémon and their fans - even by the act of my writing this post at this very moment.

Certainly, in line with the theme of the season, the happenings - even as related to Pokémon as they are - that I've chosen to let slide in coverage for now also share the same sky as other Pokémon happenings. They'll wait for their time to be shared, but share they do, and in fact always will, with the sky the way it is.

Meanwhile, the next season, the one that starts tomorrow and I've chosen to explicitly preview at the moment, might be considered a furthering of this season's theme. It would involve taking things to the sky - in fact, as far away as they can be taken. That could seem to be the only way to go, no matter on land, sea, and indeed, sky.

One year ago: The Peak of Hidden Gems

Two years ago: The Peak of Go

Three years ago: The Peak of Discoveries

Four years ago: Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Five years ago: The Start of a Decked-Out Adventure

Six years ago: Solidarity Making

Seven years ago: Reunions!

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/30/2024

Well, things are going to be as different as they are the same for this month's Pokémon Go event rollup, which have occurred in the same day in many past years (see below). That is one point of sameness; another would be the quality of those events, for which this month there is a certain "epic" quality to them, despite there being relatively few. Yet what few there are, they have some things going for them that makes them "epic", and thus they need to be explained, and of course rolled up.

First is (was) a throwback to a June event. Back then, there were Mega Rayquaza Elite Raids, but apparently, they didn't go well for some people... so, it was repeated on August 3, this time as a Mega Rayquaza Raid Day (dubbed as an "Event", but it is obviously what it is) composed of three separate Raid Hours at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM, emulating the Elite Raids at those times but for all Gyms. The Timed Research also returned, while the remote raid limit was increased as with a Raid Day in general. With or without this redone event, this month went off to an epic start.

That's because going back a day earlier (August 2), Adventure Week made its return; it is more appropriately an "Adventure Fortnight", as things would last until August 12. As is the norm with previous editions of this event, fossil Pokémon were abound, this time complemented with a few "earthy" Pokémon. Some of them appeared in the wild, while others appeared in 7 km Eggs, and a great deal appeared in Field Research task encounters, along with Mega Energy for Aerodactyl. There were bonuses of increased XP from PokéStop spin and hatching Eggs, as well as increased Shiny chance for specific Pokémon; meanwhile, Collection Challenges had additional bonuses, showcases featured the Pokémon of the event, and a paid Timed Research set rewarded incubators and more encounters. This event is always an "epic" adventure with its Pokémon, but the current edition would up the ante for a part of it on its remaining few days.

For the remaining four days of the above event (August 8 onwards), things went to the next level as Team Go Rocket took over the event, as the Taken Over portion. Two of the fossil Pokémon, Tirtouga and Archen, along with Timburr became available in Shadow form, while Cranidos and Shieldon appeared in Shadow raids along with other "earthy" Pokémon. A new Special Research set led Trainers on the hunt for Shiny Cresselia, while the weekend of August 10 and 11 once again featured Shadow Lugia in raids. The usual bonuses of more frequent grunt appearances and changing Frustration by TM applied, while Field Research tasks rewarded TMs and Mysterious Components, and Pokémon showcases were present. Two item bundles, one in the Web Store and another in the in-game shop, complemented this "epic" twist of Adventure Week into the "darkness".

The Pokémon World Championships were held in the middle of this month, so naturally there had to be the complementary event from August 16 to 20. This event also served as a Go Battle Week event with the usual perks (more battle sets each day, increased Stardust rewards, a featured Timed Research set, and varied IVs for Pokémon encounters) for all the three common Leagues plus Catch Cup, complemented by Web Store item bundles featuring mostly TMs, including some of the Elite variety. As for the World Championships part, it featured the in-game debut of the "snorkeling Pikachu" mascot of this year's edition, which appeared in raids and Field Research task rewards, as well as Shiny Mienfoo. Meanwhile, a selection of Pokémon popularly used in the competitions appeared in the wild, with some in raids - both regular and Shadow - and Field Research task encounters. A number of species also came with certain moves when caught or evolved, while the bonuses of increased Special Trades and changing Frustration by TM were very, very nice indeed. A paid Timed Research rewarded encounters with more frequently used species, which may also be entered in showcases. Finally, there were new fashion items and poses, some of which are free, others paid, and still others special to competitors. All of that was definitely "epic" as far as competitions go.

Wrapping up this month, there is the Triumph Together event from August 23 to 30 - by U.S. Pacific Time instead of local time as with most events nowadays. This event is based on three Global Challenges, one representing each team (Valor, Instinct, and Mystic, successively in that order). The Valor challenge involved defeating Team Go Rocket grunts, while Instinct involved hatching Eggs, and Mystic involved completing Field Research tasks; accordingly, each were given bonuses of more frequent grunt appearances, halved Egg hatch distance and special Pokémon in 7 km Eggs, and unique Field Research tasks. Completion of each challenge unlocks Timed Research with similar objectives with ultimate rewards of costumed Pokémon previously encountered during the season of Rising Heroes, this time with special backgrounds, and further bonuses of increased PokéStop spin XP, double hatch Stardust, and 2 Candy XL for evolving Pokémon respectively. In the sense that everyone collaborated for this event, it really was an "epic" triumph accomplished together.

At any rate, the "epic" quality is manifested through the content included in the events this month, which wasn't short even if the events were. Considering the big Pokémon event of this month and it being the last one of the season, things had to go (out) in a bang or an "epic" fashion, and the events delivered. All that stands to be found out is how same or different things can get after these events and the process of rolling them up.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/30/2023

Two years ago: Delving Further into (Enjoying) PokéToon

Three years ago: Raids on Different Platforms

Four years ago: Competitive Stage Progress

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/30/2019

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/30/2018

Seven years ago: Stories That You Don't Know

Being Emotionally "Invested"

At times, I can feel a sense of sadness in things that are not even sad. For example, a happy scene might for me instead conjure sad thoughts about its composition. I've taken to refer this as being "emotionally 'invested'", and it's a strange feeling to have at times. Fortunately and readily, this doesn't occur for me with regard to Pokémon things, although some things have come close in that regard. Even with this fact, as I've stated, it's a strange feeling, and I thought I'd discuss this and how close it can get to Pokémon matters.

For that, it seems the closest things can get for Pokémon would be with models showing off Pokémon things, much like those found in the online Pokémon Center newsletters - at least by my own experience of becoming emotionally 'invested' with other matters. If they are depicted in certain ways, it could be a trigger for this feeling. It would seem that illustrations don't trigger the feeling, unless they are really and truly sad - but that's beyond the scope of my experience. Thus it seems that the experience is really specific.

Meanwhile, other people whom I interact with indicate that they understand how I feel, but they do not necessarily indicate of having the same sentiments, with Pokémon or otherwise. They likely will feel the usual sense of melancholy - as I've hinted above with really and truly sad things - but not the sadness in the sense of my being emotionally "invested". That seems to factor even more into the strangeness and specificity of my feelings, for which only certain circumstances lead to such feelings.

Having said all that, it really seems that such feeling of being emotionally "invested" is personal - specific to my case - and generated by things outside of (that is, not involving) Pokémon rather than anything related to Pokémon. Still, it doesn't preclude the possibility that it might occur for something Pokémon if the conditions and depictions are just so. At least, most Pokémon things can serve as an escape from these feelings, allowing me to "invest" in them in other ways besides with emotions.

One year ago: Let's Talk About Blocks in Our Lives

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/29/2022

Three years ago: Respect for Veronica Taylor

Four years ago: The Social Value of Pokémon Go

Five years ago: Adventurous Families

Six years ago: Media Master

Seven years ago: Catching Up

Mountains of Faith: Mount Lanakila

Before the month closes up, it's time to finish off my "four fours" series for this month regarding certain mountains in the Pokémon world and their relation to certain elements of faith. Appropriately, it ends at a pinnacle of the Alola region, being Mount Lanakila on Ula'ula Island. In contrast to the other mountains that I've discussed in the series, this one could be thought of as having a totally different element of faith; in fact, it can be described as a "test" of faith.

One reason for this is that the mountain is really only accessible at the end... as the Pokémon League and the Elite Four await at the top, as the traditional end to any regional Trainer's journey. The path that one traverses in order to get to the summit is essentially the region's implementation of Victory Road, even if it isn't described as such: there are strong Trainers and strong Pokémon about. It is a "test" of faith by any stretch of the word.

Faithful readers of this blog will also note that the mountain also became a (part of a) prolonged "test" of faith for me twice over... although for this purpose, I'll let readers comb through my posts for that by themselves. Yet in some ways, the "test" also applies - or applied - to Professor Kukui, as the task fell upon him for the inception of the region's first Pokémon League. The tests may have been different, but the faith is still pretty much the same.

It takes some faith to get through this mountain - but then, the same applies for the previous mountains, if the faith is not already present within them. Once past that, though, Trainers might just appreciate the faith they possess (here, furthermore for the last challenge) and that which is present in the mountains. With that, my faith-defining journey through Pokémon mountains ends here, though there is always more faith to discover above and beyond these mountains.

One year ago: Half-Century of the Initiator of Pokémon

Two years ago: Pre-Stage Items in Pokémon Shuffle

Three years ago: Road of 25th Anniversary: Divided and United

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/28/2020

Five years ago: Allying with Characters

Six years ago: PokéVerbalisms

Seven years ago: After the Faraway Tournament

The Matter of "Specific Evolution" in Unite

In contrast to most other Pokémon games, Pokémon Unite seems to want to deal with Pokémon evolution differently rather than falling into set patterns. Or rather, the "pattern" seems to be already "set" in the sense that it's fixed on specific evolved forms. As such, I've taken to refer to this as "specific evolution" and decided to discuss it in a post, pointing out how it becomes manifested in the Pokémon that are now playable as Unite Licenses.

Considering the history of the game, the pattern has been manifested since the beginning with a certain very popular Pokémon: Pikachu. Any well-versed fan knows that Pikachu can evolve into Raichu, but this is not implemented as such, and Pikachu stays the way it is - obviously to preserve its state of being recognized. It's a "specific evolution" in that it is not meant to evolve... and if it is meant, there would likely be a separate Unite License for this purpose, with a starting Pikachu that then evolves to Raichu in battle. 

Meanwhile, Duraludon doesn't evolve to Archaludon, but that's more because Duraludon was implemented well before Archaludon was discovered. It's a "fringe case" of a Pokémon that was current in its generation (eighth) at the time of its implementation but was followed on by an update to its evolutionary line. Following the example of Pikachu, a separate Unite License for Archaludon might very well become the answer for its implementation, making it another (and a special) case of "specific evolution".

About a year ago, Mewtwo was implemented with separate Unite Licenses for its Mega-Evolved forms, suggesting that more Mega forms could be implemented in this way - although no other has yet to be. In any case, this too can be considered a case of "specific evolution", and the paradigm may continue to be established even if more Mega forms are still waiting for their time... which might be a very long time indeed, necessitating further considerations on the inclusion of Mega Evolution in the battles.

There is yet another "fringe case" of "specific evolution": Scizor is actually two Unite Licenses in one, as the selection of a particular move in battle (Dual Wingbeat) will cause Scyther to remain as Scyther and not evolve to Scizor. It's a distinctly different approach from just having Scyther as a Unite License on its own, following the above. Of course, if Kleavor is to be implemented, that will likely be realized as a separate Unite License much as for the postulation for Archaludon and Raichu as above.

With the example of Pikachu, more Pokémon could stand to be included as their own "specific evolution". Meowth, the representative of Team Rocket, could become its own Unite License and Persian could become a separate one, pleasing fans (and non-fans) of either. Further, as revealed in this year's World Championships, a particularly confused Pokémon is to be implemented as a "specific evolution", without it being able to evolve to the next form in line, much to the chagrin of some, but at least preserving the pattern.

Out of all the approaches for evolution (or the lack thereof) seen in different Pokémon games, the "specific evolution" one for Pokémon Unite is quite unique yet in some ways confounding, given the ways of some of the Pokémon included as Unite Licenses in the game. It's still its own "set pattern", even if the overall picture of the grand scheme doesn't show it as being "set" in any way - moreover with all the Pokémon that can still join the fray of the battles.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2023 (Global), Day 2

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2022 (Global), Finale

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/27/2021

Four years ago: Road to the 25th Anniversary

Five years ago: Blogging on Blogs: The Pokémon Go Official Blog

Six years ago: My Pokémon Groups on Facebook

Seven years ago: In-Town vs. Out-of-Town Events

Network Connections

In playing the games and going through stories related to Pokémon, one will have noticed the presence of many kinds of devices. Besides electricity, something else that makes them tick - as with similar devices in real life - is their connections to other devices, likely over something similar to the real-life Internet. Without those connections, they wouldn't function, and so would the people who would be using them - or at the least, they would have a hard time. With that in mind, it seems apt to deal with them in a discussion.

Those devices range from realistic videophones and smartphones (or devices similar to them) to surrealistic transporters for Poké Balls. If the experience of modern times has anything to say, any and all of these devices not only require network connectivity of some sort, but also fast ones to allow them to do what they do, and reliably at that. This fact also might explain why video calling was only realized in modern times: it took time for the connectivity to mature and get faster to allow this to be done. In that sense, Pokémon was well ahead of its time, although now it seems just beyond contemporary, including in network connections.

Yet even in the world of Pokémon, it's possible to be in places where network connectivity is absent - specifically places without phone reception, as has been discovered in at least one episode of the anime. While it seems that cable connections are persistent, it also seems reasonable that some places might experience their absence until they are made to be present for the requirement of devices such as those that I've mentioned above. 

Recently, I've had the experience of having such an absence where I currently live, after it had been made present after a previous absence. This may also be considered one reason why many recent posts on this blog might seem slightly (OK, somewhat) off in some way regarding their execution, and I do have to apologize if that was perceived. It also may have - or in fact has - hampered the progression of all the current Pokémon things that I do around the place I live, including for the purpose of writing them up on this very Pokémon blog.

Network connections are inherently important for Pokémon matters involving electronic devices, whether they are present in the Pokémon world or the real world. They make the things that they do possible, and in the case of their real-world presentation, they make dealing with the Pokémon world possible. As interactions continue within and beyond the Pokémon world, some of that connectivity is going to be needed - including for myself.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2023 (Global), Day 1

Two years ago: Pre-Puzzle and Mid-Puzzle Items in Café Remix

Three years ago: Go Battle Night Burnout

Four years ago: Continuous Inspiration

Five years ago: Making Others (and Myself) Happy

Six years ago: Figure Gathering, Again

Seven years ago: Cosplay: B-Bunkasai 2017 - Yume no Tobira

Let's Talk About Temples in Our Lives

Me: This discussion may or may not have anything to do with certain Pokémon happenings, but I think it's still in good form to make it as such.

Goh: Well, I guess we can tell. So what's on your mind?

Me: Today I want to talk about temples - you know, places that are dedicated to certain spirits and look impressive.

Ash: Yeah - I think we know what you're getting at.

Me: Those are of the literal kind, but we could also talk about them figuratively, like, um...

Pikachu: Pika chu! [points to head]

Me: Well, like that. Anyway, let's get on with the discussion.

Goh: You know, I can think of a region with a few temples in it.

Ash: Let me guess... Johto?

Goh: I think you know what I'm talking about.

Ash: Like Ilex Forest, right? With the shrine...

Goh: For Celebi, of course. And based on what I've been told, the Dragon's Cave in the north could be considered one too.

Ash: I think you're right on that one.

Me: What about Mt. Silver? The big mountain to the east?

Goh: I've heard of a certain person being there all the time. It's like... it's now his shrine.

Ash: The mountain top is also really cold, so as you say, it's like a "temple" for Ice types.

Me: So, somewhat figuratively. Getting back to literal ones, there's also the Tin Tower.

Ash: Oh, I almost forgot about that one!

Goh: And that would be for Ho-Oh.

Pikachu: Pi pika. ["Surely."]

Me: It's certainly a temple by any stretch of the word. Now, Pikachu earlier indicated the head and that is indeed another interpretation of "temple" - as a part of it.

Ash: We use it all the time!

Goh: And that would mean we have to keep it safe.

Ash: Like from Aipom throwing fruits at us.

Goh: How about a simpler example: when you ride a bike and wear a helmet?

Ash: Oh, yeah! I remember an Ampharos riding in the back of a motorcycle wearing a red one.

Goh: Sure, that works.

Me: Thinking about that, I got one today similar to that for our own use, maybe when I send you to conventions and such.

Goh: That's interesting.

Ash: I think it looks neat - we'll definitely use it with our friends!

Pikachu: Pi, pika chu. ["Yeah, that will work."]

Me: I also played a little game today that could involve little "temples" of things... but you don't need to know about that.

Ash: I think I can tell what it is, but as you say.

Goh: It looks to be very figurative, though.

Me: Yeah, I guess. Back to Johto, we could say it's a "region of temples" - much like a certain region in my world.

Ash: Hey, didn't you mention it a few years ago?

Me: Well, that would be this one, then.

Goh: Oh wow! Yup, that's a real temple, all right.

Me: I'd love to send Ash actually in person for certain events - and I actually could have - but I want to save that for when a better opportunity comes... and when funds are actually saved for that.

Ash: That's OK - we'll wait for you.

Me: As for temples, though, there are some in my local area, so we can do with that.

Goh: But they're not necessarily for sending Ash.

Me: No, but other opportunities might arise. And... we've gone on long enough about this, so let me say this to wrap up: temples are an important part of our lives, and they make them nice too.

Goh: We can say that for Pokémon ones and real ones.

Ash: And the ones on our heads!

Pikachu: Pika. ["Well put."]

Me: It's a point to be respected, if only even a little through our discussion now.

One year ago: My "Project Mew" (Or, Why I'm Not Cut Out for It)

Two years ago: More Strides for the Daily Adventure Incense

Three years ago: The Magical Wonder of PokéToon

Four years ago: The Principle of Life

Five years ago: Expecting the Cards

Six years ago: PokéMusicians

Seven years ago: Wallpaper: Ash XY Tribute Style

Cosplay: Community Alliance Gathering 3

Me: So, while things are up and down for me, let's have Ash deal with this one.

Ash: Oh, this one again!

Me: Yeah, this one again.

Goh: Well, then it'll be the same wheel and deal like last time, right?

Me: Well, sure - but I'm sure there are still some differences, which we'll deal with later on. Oh, but there are others we can discuss now.

Ash: I'm performing today! 

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["That's nice!"]

Me: Yup, that's one difference. You're up for two songs - and just for a change, I've sent you with your Sinnoh outfit. It's a little different from what's advertised, but I think people will understand.

Goh: What did our friend give you to perform?

Ash: An idol song! It's about cookies and love...

Me: Which I've already explained, so you get to perform this, finally.

Goh: And the other?

Ash: "Mezase Pokémon Master"!

Goh: The standard.

Me: And it's a "back to basics" approach for both of us after a few songs that only touch on stuff about Pokémon.

Ash: I was the first one up to perform too.

Goh: Oh! That must have made you nervous.

Ash: A little, but I got over it. And I sang quite well too.

Me: Very good. Lessons to be learned for the next competition.

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Keep in mind."]

Goh: So, after the performances, there were games....

Ash: Yup.

Goh: ...and a character parade.

Ash: Yup.

Goh: How'd that one go?

Ash: There were just 10 characters - and I was one of them. And... everyone won something - I did too!

Me: That's rare. There had to be favorite picks in addition to best picks.

Ash: Sure! I got a judge favorite pick - with a medal too. The communities also picked winners.

Goh: How many communities showed up, by the way?

Ash: Just five this time.

Goh: That's less than last time.

Me: Well, it's hard to expect everyone to always be there, so this is fine. Anything else we should know about?

Ash: A couple of merchandise booths set up shop, but I didn't think they got many buyers - and the gathering had few people too.

Goh: The fewest, would you say?

Ash: You know, I guess you can say that.

Me: I think I know: it's because it's "parade season".

Ash: Hey, I saw one on the way blocking the road!

Me: See, that can block people from going places, so we know at least one reason.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["Figures."]

Goh: Our friend said things were up and down for him - I guess that also applied to this gathering.

Ash: I guess you're right!

Me: Sometimes we're high, sometimes we're low, and sometimes we're in the same places - like today.

Ash, Goh: Good one!!

One year ago: Ready System Not Yet "Ready"?

Two years ago: The Fighting Cup of GBL

Three years ago: Flashback to a "Voice Chaos"

Four years ago: Real Fights Over Imaginary Battles?

Five years ago: Cosplay: B-Bunkasai 2019 - Orihime to Hikoboshi no Monogatari

Six years ago: Trainers and Musicians Alike

Seven years ago: Pokkén Downturn?

"Spending Better" vs. "Better to Spend"

If there is any fact that holds true for anything Pokémon, it is that some amount of spending is (eventually) necessary to get the best of things - experiences, collectibles, and so on. I've touched on the topic of spending in different ways, one of which pertained to regional preferences, and I'm about to do so in another way. This time, it regards aspects that could be considered as "proxies" for "quality" and "quantity", a duality that is often considered in various areas.

"Spending better" would be the "quality" proxy. This would mean considering whether spending achieves (or is/was to achieve) the intended objectives. If the objectives are achieved and the price is right - or even, if more objectives than the intended ones were achieved though the price was way off - then spending may be classified as "good", at least better in relative to similar spending for other things. The justification too could be somewhat relative but still can be made somehow.

"Better to spend" is then the "quantity" proxy. This recalls, or is very much reflective of, the "splurging" notion, one of my "Four Notions" from way, way, way back, and would mean making spending to certain amounts. As with things that reflect "quantity" in general, it sounds like it could be terrible, but it could be useful in some circumstances, especially when not performed needlessly and carelessly.  That also depends on the spender's other perspectives.

For my own case, the Nintendo Switch Lite that I purchased some time ago has been a case of "spending better", at least at the time; now it seems to reflect, in some aspects, a case of "better to spend", but that's more because of other things I have going on. A truly free me can aim to make it a case of the former rather than the latter by playing more Pokémon games on it and more extensively, which would also necessitate "spending better" on them, on the ones I want and need to play.

Then there is the case of the PIJ Bali event and the associated travel. In some ways and even now, it could be perceived as a "better to spend" case, especially with what went on at its tail end. Yet considering current quandaries - perhaps more on this soon - and what transpired at the time of the event, it is possible to regard it as "spending better", even if the resolution of those quandaries may lead to different ways of regarding the matter. That resolution may just shed the light.

At any rate, I'm likely due for more spending on Pokémon, whether by necessity or the spur of the moment. The results of the spending, particularly as dictated by the circumstances, would then have to be put under the scrutiny of the proxying aspects above. Still, in either case, I would get the best of Pokémon things under any circumstance, at least as they would allow. Beyond spending "quality" and "quantity", that's something to be regarded in the best way for any loyal fan of Pokémon.

One year ago: Quickies: "Toward the Light" with Pokémon

Two years ago: The Dream Archivist/Historian

Three years ago: Survival Mode in Pokémon Shuffle

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Datamining Moments

Five years ago: It's Gonna Be...

Six years ago: A Mascot Reinterpretation

Seven years ago: Local Hangouts and Pokémon

Remembering Past and Present Sponsored Locations

It was a long time ago that I discussed Sponsored Locations in Pokémon Go, as in certain places that (commercial) entities pay to have represented as a PokéStop or Gym. The keyword here is "pay", for it implies that without payment, they wouldn't be present in the game... and more specifically, if the payment represents a certain timeframe for them and that timeframe is up, the in-game locations disappear. That is exactly what (has) happened in my local area, so I have to take a post to discuss the matter, precisely the "remembrance" of the locations.

Many Sponsored Locations of the past - and some of the present - have truly come and gone in my area. The "coffee shop" locations, which were the first to appear in my local area, indeed were also the first ones to disappear. This was followed by a certain "tea bar" joint, which uniquely also had many Gyms. More recently, the "golden arches" had many locations as well, and now they're also gone. Finally and most regrettably, the numerous locations of the "convenience store" chain have also disappeared, the largest loss to date. All of them are still major commercial entities that had a presence in Pokémon Go, and that presence (and its loss) are to be remembered.

Certainly, this does not mean their physical locations are about to disappear as well; it's just that their agreements of representation (and thus their timeframe) have expired, which is what I had indicated in the beginning. Even so, right before or just after their agreements had expired, some of the physical locations had already disappeared or began to as such: one outlet of the convenience store had folded, and two outlets of the tea bar joint were closed for relocation or other reasons not known to me. The situation is just as unfortunate as the loss of in-game representation regardless of timing.

As for actually remembering them, it may be possible that one has pinned the Gift postcards obtained from the PokéStop or Gym for the Sponsored Locations in the Postcard Book, in which case they'll stay there for pretty much forever and can be remembered as such. If a Gift was sent containing one of these postcards, then it is wise to pin them for the purpose of remembering, but if the Gift is still in the item bag, then their identification will have been lost along with the PokéStop or Gym. This is a good way of remembering any PokéStop or Gym regardless, but given the above, it's particularly effective for Sponsored Locations.

The sad truth is that Sponsored Locations are not permanent, whether in my local area or any other area for that matter. Like sponsorship in general, once the payment and/or associated terms come to an end, the locations disappear. Fortunately, this doesn't affect remembering them as they once were there, and the game even provides a facility for it. In any case, that seems to be all that can be done as certain Sponsored Locations in my area have disappeared, leaving behind only small traces in the vestige of Pokémon Go.

One year ago: Holowear of Interest, Revisited

Two years ago: The Summer Cup of GBL

Three years ago: My Personal TCG Equipment Wishlist

Four years ago: On the Mining of Data

Five years ago: Mementos of...

Six years ago: Cosplay Events, Wherefore Art Thou?

Seven years ago: Connection Issues?

Mountains of Faith: Mt. Coronet

If this post seems a little off in any way, it's because I needed a bit more time to prepare it. And yet preparation is key for dealing with (scaling) the "mountains of faith" that I've opted to discuss for this month's "four fours". And the next one in line has a certain amount of that literally imbued in it, being the mountain of a region with two distinct names that reflect either its past or its present. Mt. Coronet, of course, is that mountain, as the one that towers over the Hisui region of the past and the Sinnoh region of the present. Then, there are just other elements that make it such a "faithful" one.

Given its appearance in the main series games, it may seem to take a certain amount of faith to get through the paths in the mountain base to get to where one needed to go, and then when the time comes to scale to the peak in earnest, yet more faith seems to be needed. In the case of the latter, the happenings that take place on that peak are intense and harrowing to some extent, and thus may also be described as requiring faith to get through them... especially with the specific Legendary Pokémon at the end. As such, faith is apparently intertwined in various ways on the mountain.

Speaking of which, the Legendary Pokémon is said to be worshipped in ancient times much like a deity in physical form, and in this way, the Pokémon is a part of the ancient faith - that is, holy belief. Whether or not it was realized that the Legendary Pokémon represent certain aspects of the world and universe, the fact of the matter is that the Pokémon are recognized as being special in all their ways, and that's as much a form of faith as any other part of this holy belief, at least as told.

A mountain like Mt. Coronet, regardless of which region it's regarded to be in, will surely present some formidable challenges, some of which might relate to or involve faith. Yet with the elements that it has - the paths, happenings, and related Legendary Pokémon - faith seems to want to make itself present in different ways with regard to this mountain. All things considered, preparing for these aspects and to "receive" the faith of the mountain might just be a faithful task in itself.

One year ago: How Essential Are Holowear for Unite?

Two years ago: Cosplay: 77th Independence Celebration

Three years ago: Quickies: Officer Jenny, the Keeper of Order

Four years ago: Pokémon and Plant Eaters

Five years ago: The Price of Cosplay Costumes

Six years ago: Do Unusual Things

Seven years ago: Futureproofing Transfers

The (Blinding) Light of Evolution

Evolution is a matter that is familiar to many Pokémon fans with all its ubiquity and necessity. It's also associated with certain aspects or elements, and one of them happens to be a bright one: evolution also brings with it a certain kind of light that is manifested along with the process. In fact, in some respects, that light could just be considered to be one that is very (too) bright and thus "blinding". And that becomes the focus of the discussion in this post.

When a Pokémon evolves, some kind of element and play of light is involved. Even in the early first generation games, this was made possible by just quickly flashing sprites, while later games have additional particles, flashes, and shading. Meanwhile, Pokémon Go has the Pokémon ascending into a ball of light and then descending with its evolved form. In the anime, the Pokémon becomes enveloped in light as its form changes, with the light fading away to reveal the evolved form. In this way, the process does present a bright vision.

The "blinding" aspect is presented by the nature of the light itself. It is apparent that if the Pokémon is sufficiently large enough, its evolution process can block out even daylight (or any other kind of light), at least in places and even times with little amounts of that. And then, of course, there is the shaded backgrounds as seen in later games and Pokémon Go, suggesting that for any person seeing it, the evolution process is all that can be seen. As such, the evolution process becomes something that serves to dazzle with its own light.

It is no surprise, then, that in the Mystery Dungeon games, at least in the early ones, there is a specific place where Pokémon are directed to go in order to evolve, and it's called Luminous Cave. As expected, the place consists of a great beam of light - from above, nonetheless - in an otherwise dark cave; the Pokémon come and respond to the queries given by the "spirit" of the light, and if they fulfill the criteria, the light washes over them and they evolve. The place literally affirms the essential quality of light as it becomes apparent in the process.

Light and Pokémon evolution, then, go hand in hand - whether the latter brings forth a copious amount of the former or the former brings about the initiation of the latter. And if the conditions are right, that light may just be a "blinding" one with a great amount of brightness. The association with light thus brings about a special quality about it, even for those who consider the process as being a familiar and integral one across many Pokémon happenings.

One year ago: Cosplay: Utsuru 8

Two years ago: Deliveries in Café Remix

Three years ago: Furthering Eevee's "Eeveelutions"

Four years ago: More on Pokémon Go Gift Stickers

Five years ago: Red and Riley Keychains

Six years ago: The Apple and Pokémon

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Nimatsuri 2017

Observing (and Playing) an Evening with TCG Friends

I had previously discussed about how it might be time for me to get back into playing the Pokémon TCG, and one of the prompts for this was being drawn into a local group of players. Last Friday, the group held one of their weekly meetings, and I decided to come to - in a way, "crash" - the meeting to interact with the others, and more importantly to observe what was happening. As it turns out, I also got in a bit of playing time, and that fulfilled at least some of that objective.

The meeting was held in a local convenience store with ample tables and chairs to play. I came early in the afternoon, so it wasn't until later that I found the people from the group. Once I did, however, I met not only one of the people from the booth at the convention, but also two friends I already knew quite well from other Pokémon endeavors. At that moment, I knew that I'd feel at home even with this group of players and I could stand to attend more of their meetings when I'm able.

Having attended, it was decided that I should try playing at least once, and the first attempt was with an advanced deck belonging to another person. Even with the assistance of another person, I was quickly overwhelmed by the play sequences, much of which I probably would have needed to discover by myself prior to beginning play. Such is likely the nature of any advanced deck with a number of cards that play into each other and/or demand special circumstances.

Essentially, the meeting of the group, as with prior meetings I tracked in my group but could not attend, was for the purpose of holding a weekly tournament. Its organization and execution are carried out through similar means as other Pokémon game tournaments I (used to) participate in, and there were clear winners and rankings determined from play. Even so, there are likely other mechanisms that I can only discover with closer observation or even direct participation.

During the progression of the tournament, I examined a simpler Grass-type deck and was invited to play against a similar deck (a "mirror" play). Unlike the advanced deck, I started to get the hang of it almost right away, although there might have been one or two cards I should have played in a better way. Coupled with the bad luck of the opponent, I got to a point where I was well ahead, essentially being assured a victory. The deck is likely a kind that suits my play style well.

At the closing of the tournament, there was a distribution of booster packs for the top winners and promotional cards for the rest. Although I didn't participate in the tournament, I did receive some individual cards with compliments - including one card which I'm told should not be opened from its clear plastic packaging, and I will definitely heed this advice. A group photo was taken at the end, in addition to various photos of the action taken over the course of the evening.

Overall, the meeting (and associated tournament) was a splendid one for getting to know the others in my group... and getting to know what I'm capable of with the TCG cards, even with whatever is plainly presented before me. In a future meeting, I might just work up the courage to participate in the tournament - hopefully with a deck that I can manage and know the workings of - but to become an observer and indirect player in this one is still just as satisfying as any TCG effort.

One year ago: 3DS eShop Winds Down - Pokémon Games Too

Two years ago: The Old (City) for the New Championships

Three years ago: In the Mix: Pokémon Presents, 8/18/2021

Four years ago: Too Many Items from Raids?

Five years ago: This Is My House

Six years ago: Local Ex-Raid (and Changes), 8/19/2018

Seven years ago: Pikachu Image Pillow

Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 8/18/2024

For this month, it seems that Community Day on Pokémon Go will introduce some novelties. It starts with this one - a Classic edition that brings back a novelty of the past, and for those who follow, it's smack-dab on the last day of the World Championships, which becomes a novelty in itself. That novelty of the past concerns the featured Pokémon, certainly, and it's one that has been expected by many people (Trainers). Also, this one actually started out unannounced - at least as in the usual Community Day announcements in the season prior to this one, meaning three months ago - until the beginning of this month, making it rather "impromptu". In effect, the novel quality of this edition is quite high.

That's because the featured Pokémon of this edition is Beldum, exactly the first of the ones that I mentioned in my "prospects" list that I made two months ago, and now it has been realized as such. It seems that in light of current developments, its time seems to have come, meaning that Candy XL has become an acceptable inevitability for the Pokémon and its species family. Still, Mega Metagross is not (yet) in sight, and perhaps the execution for that will have to wait for another day, perhaps a Raid Day of its own as with Mega Lucario last month. Some prospects perhaps may still have to be kept as such.

With that, the bonuses are a mix of the old and the new, as is the norm for any Classic edition. Returning ones from six years ago are the Meteor Mash move for Metagross, quartered Egg hatching distance, Field Research tasks, and extended Lure Modules. The new bonuses are extended Incense, photo bombs, item bundles in the shops, showcases, and of course the extra Special Research, whether paid or gifted. One oddity is that the Special Research set has no guide, and it's the first one in that regard for any Community Day edition - though this could be chalked up to this edition's "impromptu" quality.

Less "impromptu" was the meeting that my local raid group scheduled for today, accordingly in due time before the event. That became realized in the same manner as the repeat from six years ago, only this time certainly with a load of new people. For them, it was an opportunity to catch up; for others like me, it was a way of gathering extra resources for the species family to be used for whatever purpose. And certainly, the hatch bonus meant quite a bit of walking to deal with Eggs, particularly recent ones.

There was a time for a group picture at the end.

Since I already had lots of Metagross, I only evolved a few, one of which was a Shiny Lucky one with almost perfect stats and gained by a specific trading process with a friend. I also evolved a couple more to try to get those with better IVs for PvP purposes. That said, now it seems I'll have to trim down my Metagross collection so I can focus on the ones I really do need for any purpose and leave the subpar ones for others by trading, in case they can make better use of them.

Having finally been realized as a Community Day Classic edition, the Beldum species family can now rest easy - and Trainers too after getting some much-needed resources. It too had lots of novel qualities, including the "impromptu" aspect, which may or may not stand to occur again in the future. If it does, it might be a sure bet that more novelties are to happen beyond Community Day - and that's just something to look out for like it was for today.

One year ago: My Current Woes with Café Remix

Two years ago: Hard Times, Fun Times in New Unite Battle Arenas

Three years ago: Chiki Balls Pokémon Coins: Selections

Four years ago: The Power of Stories

Five years ago: Cosplay: STARNIFEST 2019

Six years ago: Cosplay: B-Bunkasai 2018 - Subarashii Maboroshii no Sekai

Seven years ago: Battle of the Masters

Seeking the Unity of All Aspects

Also a MO in the month of August, at least for a corner of the world situated in a huge group of islands straddling two lands and two seas, is the day of commemorating its independence. That would be for Indonesia, of course, which like the Hawaiian islands where the Pokémon World Championships is being held this year, is archipelagic, only much greater in scale. The situation of that environment presents its own unique challenges, in particular for the matter of unity of different (even, all) aspects, and that is now what I'd like to discuss - certainly, with some Pokémon matters also embedded in that discussion.

For that, a concept ties into the matter very well. "Nusantara", faithfully translated as "the islands in between", represents the domain of the islands and water between them, something that has also guided a certain empire of the past in this area in its rule. In a more modern context, the concept is representative (or rather, implicative) of the attempt to bring together certain aspects of life, like culture and economics - hence the theme of this post. Bringing this into Pokémon, specifically the Alola region as the closest match, it would exemplify resource usage to make connections - like surfing between islands - for progress.

Speaking of which, the country is to have a new capital city, and it's called... "Nusantara", which is emblematic of those ideals and is in fact the reason for the change. It's the manifestation of an idea I brought up years and years ago in another Worlds post about it being in a different capital city at that time, and now it is obviously reality after being only conveyed verbally then. Even so, as I've mentioned back then, the business center as the soon-to-be former capital will still play a certain role (moreover presently during the transition) in certain affairs, and that would include certain Pokémon ones - but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Back to Pokémon, if there is a kind of unity of aspects, it would certainly concern not only those of the people but also those of the eponymous species. That would mean implementing not only what is best for the people but also for the species, whether they remain in the wild or become companions to people. This is the kind of thing that would be expected to occur in, say, the Hisui region of the past and then carried to the present, though there is also a certain sense of universality in the matter across regions.

The dream and ideals of a unified Nusantara are present in the Indonesia of today, but much still remains to be achieved. In the same way, there is so much that people and Pokémon in their world - and even in this one, if the World Championships have anything to say - can and should accomplish together. The pursuit of those achievements and accomplishments ought to shed light on how all relevant aspects can be unified for the greater good of everyone and fulfillment of interests in the best way possible.

In the current moment, Indonesia at least has a reason to celebrate for the process of realizing those dreams and ideals, ones that this Pokémon fan can even reference in dealing with it and then provide insights for those who are also relevant. As usual at this time of year, this Pokémon fan wishes a Happy Independence Day, and places the hope of a great unified future.

One year ago: My Land, Never Gone

Two years ago: Independence Numerology, Pokémon Style

Three years ago: Sparkling, Shining for the World

Four years ago: Rise Up and Live, with Body and Soul

Five years ago: ...And Social Justice for All

Six years ago: United in Diversity

Seven years ago: Red and White Philosophy

Aloha (Alola)! To World-Class Trainers

When it comes to August, the usual MO is the Pokémon World Championships, which I always cover on the Friday of its execution. Certainly, today happens to be that day, which means that the World Championships this year take place this weekend from today until Sunday. As for its location, it might be considered a few years too late in being there, but as is known by many people, being there late is better than not being there at all. And the keywords in the title should already be indicative of that location.

So, the location of this year's World Championships is bright and beautiful Honolulu in Hawaii, technically a return to the U.S. because the latter is a state. It is known by many fans that the island chain also serves as the inspiration for the Alola region in the Pokémon world, so the World Championships this year could be considered to take place in the region by "proxy", much like how London, England served the same role for Galar two years ago. It should make for a pretty nice time.

The content of this year's edition is pretty much no different than that of last year's: VGC, TCG, Go PvP, and Unite. As stated then, the latter two I consider as the "new wave", being recently developed modes of play, and the former two I regard as the "vanguards", being the mainstay standards. It seems that they will remain as such for some time ahead, and that may be a good way to "keep the peace" with no major changes. Of course, the venue of the championships will always change, but that's par for the course.

For the matter of local representation, there is a solid contingent this time around. Two teams will be competing in Unite, three representatives will compete in three TCG divisions (Junior, Senior, and Master), and Go PvP and VGC has one representative each - in total 15 individual competitors, plus a few observers tagging along to check out the proceedings. It is the largest batch of competitors yet, impressively covering the entire competitive pantheon and showing the varied interests of locals in Pokémon. 

Now, certainly, they'll be duking it out against other Trainers from around the world to show that they are not just "local class" but truly "world class". And all of this is being done in the center of the Pacific in yet another place emblematic of a region in the Pokémon world. This weekend will surely be filled with battles that ought to look like they could take place in that region and exemplify the "Aloha!" (or even "Alola!") hospitality that both the real and imagined regions are quite known for.

Good luck, as always, to all competing Trainers - including those of the big local contingent - and dazzle like the bright and beautiful place of this year's competitive setting.

One year ago: Aligning Chess and Pokémon

Two years ago: Myst Pillars, Pokémon Pillars

Three years ago: Thoughts of Cards, Again

Four years ago: The Age of Post-EX Raids?

Five years ago: Capital Convergence

Six years ago: Getting Lucky with It

Seven years ago: I Want to Splurge

Respect for Rachael Lillis... in Memoriam

Those who read my blog regularly should be able to deduce what I'm about to discuss by the title format. There are actually two parts to this: the first part is the "Respect for" part, which makes it obvious that the post will deal with one of the voice talents related to Pokémon, in this case the anime. The other part... well, that's kind of obvious too, but it will be discussed alongside and later. Certainly, the voice talent aspect is fascinating and important to be discussed, especially with that being relevant now.

So, that voice talent is Rachael Lillis, who is known for her double role in the early years of the English dub of the Pokémon anime as Misty and Jessie - although arguably the former is her claim to fame and will be more recognized for. Aside from voicing human characters, like a few others of her colleagues at 4Kids, who formerly handled the English dub, she also voiced Pokémon species, one of them being Jigglypuff. The double role alone is impressive and makes her fundamental to those early years.

In any case, she has made her mark as a voice talent, with emphasis certainly on "talent", given the above. The Jigglypuff voice has even been reused for Super Smash Bros. up to this day, and that's a vouch for that "talent". At 4Kids, as with the others, she has worked on other projects too, and one example (Ape Escape) seems to affirm her talent at voicing "redheads" by voicing another "redhead". It becomes apparent that she will leave a lasting legacy in at least one way - or in fact, she already has...

...which brings me to the point of all of this. A few days ago, she passed away after her battle with cancer, and Veronica Taylor also broke the news on X (formerly Twitter). As such, the old English dub of the Pokémon anime has lost another one of its key figures, and this one is especially key due to the multiple main roles and significant secondary role, again as above. It definitely hits hard for many fans, who consider her Misty portrayal as on point and "top notch" regardless of its quirks, if any.

Even with the change of hands for the English dub, some things are still remembered as the hallmarks of the old dub, one of them being the voice talent discussed here and the roles played by that voice talent in it. With the passing of that voice talent, waves of nostalgia and remembrance reverberate among those who recognize her for what she has given, for Pokémon or otherwise. And of course, there is also respect to be had for all that, as with any voice talent I discuss here.

Rest in peace, Rachael. Your "redhead" legacy will continue to remain among Pokémon fans.

One year ago: The Matter of Mega Evolution in Unite

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Goodies, Round 4

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/14/2021 and 8/15/2021

Four years ago: Matters of Shadow and Light (Purification)

Five years ago: The Subtle Generational Spoiler

Six years ago: Don't Look Back... in Anger

Seven years ago: Pokémon Desktop Wallpapers

Looking at Myself as a Pokémon Fan

I've been a Pokémon fan from pretty much since nearly the beginning, and writing up posts on this blog for a long time. By all means, that's a pretty long stretch of time for either case. As such, sometimes I have to consider myself in light of everything that has happened since that time, especially if circumstances prompt me to do as such. One such circumstance has recently come to light, and it's a bit of a serious one (though I won't mention it). While it doesn't make me question my appreciation of Pokémon as a whole, it does seem to be telling me to look at and think about myself and how that can still manifest my appreciation of Pokémon.

My reflection suggests that I'm still cut out to be a Pokémon fan, even if I'm not the person I was from a few years ago or even many, many years ago when everything (and particular forms of appreciation) began. I look at myself, and I can tell that I've changed as Pokémon has changed, in some parts in unexpected ways, which applies equally well for the both of us. It's just the way that it is with time - yet it seems hard for time to detach any spirit of appreciation, for as long as a life force still exists within me. Whatever else that Pokémon may bring in time will likely be able to serve me in whatever state I am, as well as that of Pokémon itself.

Admittedly, this discussion is partially inspired by a certain musical piece - only distantly related to Pokémon, but nevertheless provides the background for the discussion. It's from a composer I've mentioned numerous times on this blog - Yanni - and it's a contemplative and sentimental one. Aptly, it's titled "In the Mirror", which is why the keywords of this post are "look" and "reflection" as above, and leads to the contemplation of myself along with Pokémon. I seem to have to reach deep into my mental state as well as my affairs with Pokémon, and this piece helped in that regard.

Sometimes, it seems that it is necessary to look at myself, both physically and mentally, and the recent circumstance - which does involve a Pokémon aspect - may be considered one such trigger for doing so. For this longtime fan, each novelty that Pokémon brings is like a wave that washes over me, and once I'm awash, it only serves me well to look at my own self, if  that doesn't already happen by way of circumstances like the one I refer to but not mention (and will likely never, due to its gravity). As far as I'm concerned, though, my gravitas lies with Pokémon, and that doesn't need to be looked into.

One year ago: The Matter of Playable Legendaries in Unite

Two years ago: Cosplay: Japan Overdrive 2022

Three years ago: Let's Talk About Cards for Humanity

Four years ago: Localized TCG: After One Year

Five years ago: Who's That...

Six years ago: Worldly Reverence

Seven years ago: All in Good (Life)Time

Mountains of Faith: Mt. Silver

Next in this month's "four fours" on the subject of regional Pokémon mountains and seeking the faith embedded in them is appropriately a mountain from the next region in line. It is, of course, Mt. Silver, the mountain in the far eastern portion of the region and straddles the boundary between Johto and Kanto. If the previous mountain could be said to "embody" faith, this one could perhaps be described as one for "finding" faith instead, obviously based on its particular characteristics as the previous one.

That said, this mountain is indeed emblematic of its label, as it towers above the region where it is situated, complete with a snow-capped peak of its own. Appropriately, the slopes of the mountain are inhabited by Ice-type Pokémon, most notably Sneasel that also has a Dark countenance about it. It's also a place for some tough Pokémon, in line with its rough environment, and it too is where Red stands by for those who are willing to find and battle him, this very well being an act of "finding" faith.

So it was that I had to undertake that "faith-finding" act whenever said mountain came up in the games, something which I have to say was reluctant to initially. After that, things proceeded as expected with Red; what happens next was understandably so for both of us, and somewhere within that were shreds of faith to be gathered ("found"). With the faith having been "found", so was the commitment for this and other Pokémon things that followed - though not necessarily in the same conical and towering shape as this mountain.

Being a true mountain in many ways, its environment had to faithfully reflect that - a rough terrain with a peak "surprise" at the end. To "find" faith in such a place could be considered to be an undertaking that would be reflective of certain commitments for and toward Pokémon, as evidenced by what I had to go through, something that could be similarly experienced by many Pokémon fans who go through it the same way that I did. It's a transition in a certain way, just like how the mountain sits at the transition point between two regions.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/13/2023

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/13/2022

Three years ago: NGOCO Podcast: What's Up with Pokémon?

Four years ago: Get Sporty for Sports, Pokémon Style

Five years ago: The Changing of Boxes

Six years ago: Toy Block Pokémon?

Seven years ago: Cosplay Briefings

Absurdly Heavy Pokémon Matters

I've been thinking about certain matters recently that are absurdly (that is, really) heavy - more so in weight than in burden, but there's still some of the latter involved - and it's getting me down. Particularly, I'm thinking of how I would deal with them since I'd be alone in doing so, although in that regard I've always been alone myself (a separate topic that may or may not be discussed later). I'm then reminded that Pokémon has a few absurdly matters of its own that may just be as hard to deal with as mine, but that doesn't stop people from dealing with them - just as I've taken to write about them.

Some Pokémon of the normal size and of the more regularly encountered kind are notably of the rather weighty sort. Snorlax is evidently one of them, and a particularly renowned one at that, whose matters of sleeping and eating does carry some weighty consequences. A less weighty one but slightly more burdensome is Muk because of its Poison type and tendency to smother people and objects around it. Regardless, the weight that they have makes things somewhat absurd, if they aren't already are themselves.

Meanwhile, there are the Ultra Beasts - at least some of them - that flaunt their weight coming from the Ultra Space. A particularly (and literally) striking one is Celesteela, whose immense size and Steel type is particularly indicative of its weight; not far behind would be Guzzlord, which is also immense and thus weighty in its own right. Not all the Ultra Beasts are as weighty as these two, but these ones are the most telling and absurd for their scales - and the problems that they could possibly cause.

One final absurdly heavy matter is more on the situation and less on the Pokémon, as it concerns the tumbling asteroid in the first Mystery Dungeon games. The only counter for this is the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza, which is admittedly weighty on its own, but it serves as an effective counter nonetheless. In some ways, the situation is absurd as well, yet - at least on the asteroid portion - realistically possible.

What seems quite apparent is that even with Pokémon, there is no escaping certain absurdly heavy matters, whether it's by the weight of the elements involved in the situation or the gravity of the situation itself. As for my own absurdly heavy matters, I'll have to think about them some more - hopefully not too heavily - but the reminder of the ones related to Pokémon at least serves as a bit of a comfort while doing so.

One year ago: Rarest Pokémon Merchandise

Two years ago: Dream Pokémon Food from Café Remix

Three years ago: On Pokémon Who Talk and Speak

Four years ago: The Fate of (Monthly) Go Fest and Safari Zones

Five years ago: Localized TCG (Not Quite) Taking Off

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/11/2018 and 8/12/2018

Seven years ago: Cosplay: DANOBU 4

Cosplay: Dalbo Fest Japan Market

Me: Well, this will be a strange one.

Goh: What's strange? It looks like a festival on a typical day.

Me: I guess Ash will have to explain most everything now.

Ash: Um... I guess so.

Pikachu: Pika... ["Figures..."]

Me: Let's start with what you saw there.

Ash: Like you pointed out, it was a market.

Goh: What was sold there?

Ash: Lots of clothes! I think our friend would like them.

Me: Sure - if I wasn't sending you, and I had time and funds to pick things out, I'd walk away with some of them.

Goh: There must have been other things too, though.

Ash: Yeah! There was lots of merchandise too. I saw a few Pikachu figures that all of us would like.

Pikachu: Chu pika! ["They're perfect!"]

Goh: I can't disagree. Also, when I think of markets, there has to be something to eat for sale.

Ash: They sure did have that!

Goh: OK, great to hear. All that must have been lively.

Ash: You bet! It was almost like a convention - I guess it was, in a way.

Goh: Oh, so there must have been entertainment, like music groups.

Ash: I saw a dance group and the karaoke group.

Goh: Of course. And of course there had to be competitions, which our friend always deals with for you.

Ash: There were, but, um...

Goh: Right?

Ash: Um, well...

Goh: Right??

Me: Actually, I have to come clean and say, not this time.

Goh: OK, that's a whole new spin.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika. ["Very much so."]

Me: There are (were) actually two: a character parade and a character performance. And I wasn't able to make the commitment for Ash for either one. But in defense, I really wanted to.

Ash: We can do it next time.

Me: I actually did want to commit to the character performance since we haven't done it in a long time, the character parade from last week (plus the singing competition) went bust on us, and this kind of competition is hard to come by these days.

Goh: And you didn't because...

Me: Other stuff needed my attention, and then there was the raids.

Goh: I see.

Ash: What would you have had me done?

Me: Something with your Kanto and Johto outfit, which I sent you with today.

Ash: I think I got it... but I also know to keep it secret for now.

Me: Sure enough. Having said all that... I instead had you commit to raiding a few Shadow Lugia with my other friends in town.

Goh: Oh! That's intense.

Ash: Sure was! One of them was Shiny too. And I got a bonus perfect Uxie!

Goh: Really impressive! But OK, that means you must have come to the festival late.

Ash: Yeah. I got there at 5 PM, when all the competitions wrapped up and there was only the rest of the entertainment.

Goh: I see. And you didn't find out the winners.

Me: It's not like we needed to.

Goh: Good point. But then you must have met up with friends and got photos taken.

Ash: As usual.

Pikachu: Pi pika chu pi. ["That doesn't change."]

Goh: By the ray, where was this?

Ash: It was at the plaza where the other festival that we didn't want to support.

Goh: Oh, nice! So this one we can actually support.

Me: Especially since it's the team behind Community Base, Foodtopia, and so on that organized it, I've been told.

Ash: That's why it felt so great!

Goh: Well, I think Ash had a great day with the Lugia raids and this festival.

Me: Though I also think the festival could have used our input.

Ash: Like I said, try to get me in next time.

Goh: I'm with Ash on this one.

Me: I'll find a way, just like how ways were made with the raids and this festival. Anyway, things look very good - hopefully not strange - and that's how they should be.

One year ago: The Championships Come Home

Two years ago: The Currencies and Shops of Café Remix

Three years ago: Great League and Ultra League, Newly Remixed

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Feature Wishlist Realizations

Five years ago: Monthly GO Fest/Safari Zones?

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Personal Feature Wishlist

Seven years ago: Cosplay Scrapbooking

The Values of Posts, Again

It was a little over four years ago that I wrote a post on giving value to my posts, and I feel the need to revisit the topic again. At that time, I did give an idea of how values might be given to my posts, but then I seemed to have "circled" the idea rather than discussing it directly, aside from the part where I mentioned donations as an aspect that could give value - but hasn't, something that has remained sadly true to this day, four years and many more posts later. Therefore, it seems apt to bring up the topic, this time with an actual ideation for a specific valuation to be applied to my posts.

The ideation considers the word length of my posts. Regarding this, though, it has to be said that my earlier and later posts differ in this aspect, though if a rough average could be taken of all posts up to the present, they would all be approximately be 500 words in length. Considering that there are around 2700 posts up to now, that means I have around 1.35 million words in total, which is a great number, just as great as the number of posts itself as well as the tenacity to put one up each and every day.

After that, though, things get a little dicey. This would of course be in regard to the monetary value of all of those words, which could be said to be slightly indeterminate. That would be because if they are worth what they are, then I could potentially end up with a low value or at best a middling value - and this is even regard to different currency references, though I'm a bit loath to mention them, particularly since I consider it an act of "jinxing" on one of this blog's purposes, to bring value to my Pokémon experiences from others.

Still, Pokémon is of value to many people - including yours truly - so there might be a chance that some people will be willing to give value to everything about it, including the experiences of others. This might turn out to be even more than I would expect, in which case it would affirm that the experiences have great values. It's still an aspect with some indeterminate value, yet it might not be as indeterminate as I think it could be with Pokémon included.

Out of all the possible topics I could write about (even ones that only touch on Pokémon), this one might be a far-reaching one, especially given how that first post on the topic turned out. Pokémon itself is far-reaching, though, even just by the experiences of its fans, and that far reach could be just the thing that gives insights to the values of words - specifically even the ones I put up on this blog to detail everything that revolves around it and myself.

One year ago: By Experience or By Information?

Two years ago: The Importance of Training in Café Remix

Three years ago: Realized Personal Social Media Experiments with Pokémon

Four years ago: Let's Talk About Events, Conventions, and Beyond

Five years ago: A Tale of Two (OK?) Performances

Six years ago: Ode to Magikarp

Seven years ago: Snorlax's Awakening