Blessed Be These Efforts

Let's get one thing out of the way first up: today is July 4 and as such it's the day for the commemoration of independence for the United States. It's something I've covered in connection to my Pokémon experiences since a number of years ago and will likely remain that way going forward. For this year's treatment of the topic, I've decided to go into what might be a least-discussed aspect (if not one many) that pertains to the former and could be said to describe much of the latter. And it's something that might be easily ignored.

Those who have possessed a one-dollar bill and looked at its backside might notice the words "annuit coeptis" (in Latin) written on it. Strictly (literally) speaking, it means that an entity gives favor to undertakings - of the people, certainly; more loosely, it could be taken to mean the words that are stated in the title of this post. These words have some spiritual connections, especially considering their origins and the surrounding symbolism, but those are beyond the scope of the discussion of this post.

What isn't as such is how it could be construed to be related to Pokémon. Everyone in this world makes some kind of effort for their dealings with the species of concern, particularly the Trainers. For those efforts, they may need to believe that those efforts have received blessings in some kind of way - at least if good intentions and/or methods are to be had rather than malicious ones. It would then be similar to the efforts of the people of that country above, both in the past and the present, which may explain the use of those words.

Meanwhile, for those who have contributed to Pokémon and made the franchise, universe, and world what it is, they only deserve the highest blessings, if they haven't already considered that their actions have received them as such. Even with all the hard work that goes into those actions - undeniably for any effort - they would likely be still nothing without some amount of blessings, and so the words still ring true to some capacity. It's also a capacity that I would like to attain at some point in time.

Blessings can be a little hard to come by these days with all that's going on in the world, but if those words on the one-dollar bill have anything to say, it's that there are blessings in the best of efforts, even if the results come out in unexpected ways. So true is this for anything that people do, even as they pertain to or involve Pokémon. Having been a fan of it for a long time - something that started out in the pertinent country as above - at the least, I can say that there are still blessings to be had for all the things I do with it.

So, with the (good) blessings from whomever, have a wonderful independence day celebration, for those in the U.S.

One year ago: From Sea to Shining Sea

Two years ago: The U.S. as a "Center" of Pokémon

Three years ago: Searching for Myself... with U.S. Included

Four years ago: A Few Words about U.S. (Us)

Five years ago: Welcome to the Jungle

Six years ago: Metal Reversed Cap Pikachu Keychain

Seven years ago: The Subdued Hometown Themes

Team Rocket Apparel from Pokémon Center

For this month's "four fours" posts, I was a bit baffled while thinking about what it should cover. But then I remembered that Pokémon Center still has a lot of merchandise, some offbeat and some neat, that I've yet to cover on this blog. So I've decided to cover some of them for this month's series on that. And the first one for the coverage reaches into the nefarious depths, with apparel based on the original villainous team - the one and only Team Rocket. As nefarious as they are, the apparel seems to have a good thing going.

There are the expected tops and bottoms for this one of apparel, and they are very much if not undoubtedly necessary, as would be the parts of a Team Rocket uniform. But then so is the cap, which completes the look, and there are a few of those in the line as well, along with other accessories. They're not just all black and red, though: a few of them also contain (or are mostly in) white with a touch of red, and this still makes sense given the uniforms of Jessie and James. Overall, there are lots of possibilities for mixing and matching with this line of apparel - which is in contrast to the spirit of a Team Rocket uniform, yet it's still possible for that spirit to manifest itself in different ways, ergo all the items in this apparel. 

One of those ways is for me personally. Around the time of last year, when the line was first introduced, they had a "recruitment campaign" to determine what Team Rocket outfit would look great on different people by an animated GIF roulette. I participated in it just for fun, and I got a black vest and long pants, which I also think would go great with a black cap and a white shirt as a liner. I'm not about to - moreover, can't possibly - get any of these items at this point in time, nor do I have the incentive to, but it's still fun to think about what would I wear for the purpose of this "recruitment".

At any rate, Team Rocket is still a part of Pokémon proper, and there has to be a way of appeasing prospective members fans that may have a soft spot even for this nefarious team. One way to do just that is through merchandise and specifically clothing, and that is certainly something that Pokémon Center can furnish - and it does, keeping the team spirit among the people who might just become one of its members.

One year ago: Possible Alternatives to (Preserve) Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Taking on the Unite Challenge

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/3/2021

Four years ago: More Pokémon Go "Goofs"

Five years ago: I Splurged, for Once

Six years ago: Pokémon Yellow Pikachu Shirt

Seven years ago: Spicy Tamato

The New Successors of Silph

So, the "how" part to the Pokémon Go PvP tournament that took place over the past week and involved me is made possible by facilities that are de facto the successors of those that were part of Silph (League) Arena. I'd written about three candidates for them in the past... and none of them are the facilities I'm about to discuss, although the ones that have been realized are also evidently not "all-in-one" as are the previously discussed ones. That said, all of them have each taken up one part of what made the Arena known for what it was, and they all need to be discussed together.

The first of these successors, and perhaps the most crucial, is Dracoviz. Yes, it's read the same as Dracovish, a species from the eighth generation and one of Ash's Pokémon in the World saga; its logo even resembles the facial jaws of the Pokémon. It serves as the organizing aid for Swiss round and round-robin tournaments, including the one I just participated in. Outside of that, it also keeps track on some other PvP happenings, particularly those for the official qualifiers for the Championship Series leading to the World Championships, and sometimes even supports Trainers for this purpose. Even so, going back to the tournament organizing part, it seems to be a "work in progress" in some respects, and I'll have more to say on this separately - though for this intent and purpose, it has already established itself as such.

Next up, something has to furnish the usual rotating formats or themed cups that have become a signature of community PvP, and Devon Corporation fills this purpose. In fact, it has already done just that for its inaugural season that started earlier this year... and I've missed every single one of the formats; at some point, I'll have more to say on all of them, but perhaps not soon enough. In any case, the formats are funneled to Trainers, both competing and organizing ones, and the tournaments are set up through the organizer as above. It's somewhat apropos and odd that the successor is a "successor" in a different manner of speaking, but that may be for the best anyway.

As for team competitions, that too has already been established. Battle Frontier is now the home for teams of Pokémon Go Trainers to duke it out together with the best in the region and the world. It too has established an inaugural season full of ups and downs, and many of the teams that used to be in Factions are now here as well. I have even much less to say about this one at this point, but if I will my return to team competitions, it's something that I will have to observe and eventually write on as well.

Essentially, at this point, the workings of Silph (League) Arena have now been restored, though in more independent and separate ways rather than all of them being "under one roof". The competitions also have gotten going, which is truly the point and the best part. Still, it may not measure up to the Arena - at least at this point in time - but that won't stop Trainers from making improvements to them, at which point I can then experience them for the better.

One year ago: Cosplay: Akazora Fest

Two years ago: Architect(ural) Futures (Features)

Three years ago: The Element Cup of GBL

Four years ago: Descending into the Catacombs

Five years ago: Fast Captures in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Let's Go Trade

Seven years ago: Speedblogging Like a Ninjask

Tournament: Retro - Rainbow Cup by AIGA e-Sports

After a very long time, another post on the (Pokémon Go PvP) tournament scene has surfaced, and predictably, it involves me as a participant. Some readers might be asking the question "how?" regarding this predicament, and all I can say for now is that the explanation for that will have to wait. What is important at the moment is that I need to discuss what took place and the results for me personally, and how that reflects my involvement in this branch of competitive Pokémon, especially after a long "sabbatical".

Particularly, the theme has to be gotten out of the way first. It's called Retro-Rainbow Cup because the featured types are the same as for "ye olde Rainbow Cup" of Silph Arena, but the Pokémon are limited to those from the first two generations - and regions, thus Kanto and Johto. This also included forms (which meant none from later regions), as I've found out the day before matches were to begin. Fortunately, they were changed just in time... or rather, the organizers put in leeway for that to happen.

The organizers, meanwhile, are a team (perhaps could also be said to be a collective) of Trainers who also had a Faction also on Silph Arena a long time ago. This is not the first time they organize a tournament, as during the Silph Arena days, they had their own series of tournaments - though for one reason or another, I wasn't able to participate until now. Also, everything was actually due to start on the 22nd last month but was delayed a day, perhaps for the reason above and other matters not known to me.

When it did start, things went on for six rounds, each held within the period of a day (24 hours). At the start, there were 54 participants, but two had no teams registered and were booted out. As the tournament progressed, two more participants either got booted out - due to tardiness - or left on their own accord, leaving 50 as the final tally. And after the dust had settled, I ended up in 35th place (16th from the bottom) with two round wins and four round losses, which is a little (or somewhat) regrettable.

Still, except for one round where I was shut out, I did get at least one battle win in each round, even managing to shut out my opponent in one of the other rounds that I won, for a total of eight battle wins. This performance is pretty much comparable to some of the ones just before the "sabbatical" that I took from competitive Pokémon Go PvP, which means that nothing has changed much since that time... unless if it's considered that my losses here were the results of silly mistakes and that I would be better off without them.

In any case, with my participation in this tournament, my "sabbatical" is pretty much over and I'm likely to participate in other PvP tournaments in the coming days - which might be sooner rather than later. Due to other Pokémon matters and commitments, that still may not be as often as I can, but I can and still have to allot for the possibilities for taking part when it becomes feasible, especially now that the "how" part of it has been established, giving the free means to participate in them once more.

One year ago: A Virtual Cosplay Card

Two years ago: Supporters and Speedsters, Wherefore Art Thou?

Three years ago: It's... Bidoof Day?

Four years ago: The First of Us

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Custom Team Keychains

Six years ago: Cosplay: ENNICHISAI 2018 + CLAS:H/ICGP Nationals

Seven years ago: My Offerings (or, What I Am Not)

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 6/30/2024

As this is the last day of the month, my usual monthly rollup of events in Pokémon Go needs to be made today, and it has to, since in fact the primary content of the events ran up all the way to yesterday. Speaking of which, that primary content started out way back at the very beginning of the month and proceeded with three-day "break" gaps between each event; some of these are also "complement" events to the usual main happenings of Pokémon Go around these months. With that, things become rather significant and require quite a bit of detailing.

Kicking off the month was the Stadium Sights event from June 1 to 4. This is one of the "complement" events, being the complement to this year's Asian edition of Pokémon Go Fest in Sendai. It featured Pokémon of the Fighting and Flying types, certainly those that could be seen in arenas or stadiums; a host of them appeared in the wild, 7 km Eggs, and Field Research task encounters, with the primary feature being Shiny Emolga that also co-debuts with the Sendai event. Those that wanted more could opt to purchase a Timed Research set with Emolga encounters as well as a Super Incubator and extra Emolga Candy. Increased Candy and Stardust bonuses for hatching helped seal the deal for Trainers to attain new heights with this event.

Following the event, there might have been demand for a rest, and that's where the Slumbering Sands event came in from June 7 to 12. As expected, the featured Pokémon were those related to sleep or dreams, or are lax in general. Komala is one of them, and its Shiny form made a debut, along with the Slakoth family wearing a visor. As expected, they appeared in the wild and Field Research task encounters, while Snorlax with a nightcap also appeared... for those who connect a Pokémon Go Plus + and gotten a Timed Research set. Another set could be obtained for payment, containing a fashion item, encounters, and helpful items. The event also featured a bonus of double XP for catching, photo bombs, a Collection Challenge, and showcases - so there may or may not have been enough rest for everyone.

Next on the "complement" agenda was the Spelunker's Cove event from June 15 to 18. This time, it was for the European edition of Pokémon Go Fest in Madrid. Now, to spelunk means to venture into caves, so appropriately, all the featured Pokémon were rocky, watery, or could be found by the beachside; this includes the slightly oddball Crabrawler, for which its Shiny form made its debut at this time. The Pokémon all appeared in the wild, raids, and Field Research task encounters. Like the earlier complement event, this one had a bonus (double Candy catch) and a Timed Research set with Crabrawler, Premium Battle Passes, and the Candy for the respective Pokémon, which might be a driver for further spelunking, as is this event in general.

Scorching Steps, the next event in line from June 21 to 25, heated things up a little - in particular since the event involved Eggs to be incubated (heated), with bonuses of extra Candy and reduced hatch distance (quarter for the first three with the widget, half for the rest) plus increased chances for Shiny Slugma and Litleo. Apart from that, the important debut was for Shiny Larvesta, which could be hatched from 2 km, 5 km, and 5 km Eggs, if not other fiery Pokémon. On the side of Research, Field Research had mainly the first two fiery Pokémon above, while a Timed Research set furnished essentials as well as some of the fiery Pokémon. Along with them, there were also showcases of the featured Pokémon, all bringing their own heat to the table.

The last event of the table is a complement to the game's founding - that is, its anniversary. The Anniversary Party, which started on June 28 and will run until July 3, brings forth the celebration. Since it's the eighth anniversary, Grimer (Dex number #88) comes to enliven things with a party hat version, also being able to evolve as Muk still with the costume. It joins previous Pokémon with party hats - as well as Pikachu with the cake hat - in the wild and raids. Starter Pokémon are also all around, with the ninth generation ones throughout in the wild, others from previous generations in two-day batches, and all of them in Field Research encounters plus possible Mega Energy. Bonuses for friendship and Gimmighoul Coins are also present throughout, while other bonuses come in two-day batches. The rest of the event features are Shiny Meltan and more frequent Mystery Box openings, Timed Research with party hat Pokémon and Meltan encounters (free) plus items and another encounter (paid), Shiny Celebi in a Masterwork Research for those who haven't gotten it with associated bonuses, and an Anniversary Box bundle in either shop, as well as fashion items, stickers, and showcases. Lastly, as a part of the above, on June 29, there were Mega Rayquaza Elite Raids, with additional Timed Research sets. There will be more on the anniversary aspect soon, but this event serves as a testament of it for now. 

It is certain that the last of the events above is the major complement, but all the others have complements in their own ways, whether as part of the seasonal Go Fest celebrations or just being quirky in their own right. As significant as things go, this time of year for Pokémon Go is one of those times, and the events only have to make that fact more significant, including in detail.

One year ago: Pokémon Loot from Indonesia Comic Con 2023

Two years ago: Even More Post Categories

Three years ago: The Reality of Pokémon Battles

Four years ago: Aliens Among People and Creatures

Five years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Rainbow Cup

Six years ago: Gifts That Keep on Giving

Seven years ago: After Six Months: Poké-Paradise in a Blog

Cosplay: Grill Summer Festival

Goh: So... Is this something else, or a same old thing?

Me: I'd have you believe it's the former, but it's somewhat of the latter. 

Ash: And of course you're sending me!

Me: Right. And in this case, I'm practically required to do that.

Goh: Hmm? Oh, I see now. I have the poster for it, and... Ash is a special performer. 

Ash: Yes, I am!

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["Very nice!"]

Me: That is the case. Since the photo was already picked, I pretty much have to send you in that outfit.

Ash: The special journey outfit! That's fine by me.

Me: OK. Also, I've sent you real early, because you need to meet my raid friends first.

Goh: To raid?

Me: Of course - and the subject for this one is a big (and real big) serpent of the skies.

Goh: Rayquaza...? Mega Rayquaza??

Me: Hey, someone figured it out. Yeah, so that came down and challenged Trainers. How'd that go?

Ash: I battled five times and caught it three times. They weren't Shiny or very good.

Me: Well, we did what we can. After that, you should have gone over to the festival.

Ash: I did! It was in the same mall as before... but this time we were outside in the parking lot.

Goh: Interesting. The layout must have been different too.

Ash: Yeah! The stage was a T shape and the stands were in front of it. But there weren't too many...

Me: That's OK. What else happened?

Ash: There were games and other performances as usual.

Goh: As usual... I got it now. Bocchi Noizu helped with the festival.

Ash: Pretty much.

Goh: What about your performance?

Ash: I sang two really different songs today!

Me: Well, mostly. I gave them to you: one of them is by Rica Matsumoto but for something else, and the other is an idol song that you also performed some weeks ago - so that last one is not completely different, but it still is.

Goh: Wow. That's... different, all right.

Pikachu: Pika, pika chu. ["Right, a wild choice."]

Ash: Um... but I slightly messed up on one of the lines for each - and the idol song was a little loud in the background, and it shocked me a little.

Goh: Sorry about that.

Ash: But I got to rock with both songs! The first one really felt like me, even if it wasn't me.

Me: That's why I chose that one - and then there's the paradise event for the second one.

Goh: That's great anyhow. Did anything else happen?

Ash: That was pretty much it. Oh, another performer got unwell and changed at the last minute.

Goh: That's regrettable. And... the character parade? Wasn't there one?

Ash: Well, there was, but I wasn't in it this time.

Goh: Oh. I guess this means your performance compensated.

Ash: It did! So it's a little something for me and our friend.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["Every bit helps."]

Me: It's a little, but it means somewhat, which is why I sent you even with all the things we've got going.

Goh: You know, you could think of today as a practice if you want to try to get something from a competition next time.

Ash: Sure! I think we may have plans.

Me: I already do - but that's for later. Anyway, even today, the same old things can be something else, especially if they happen in the same day.

Ash: You bet! And we can make the difference.

Goh: I wouldn't disagree.

Me: And if that doesn't involve "grilling" ourselves (ahem), then that may just be what it takes.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 6/29/2023

Two years ago: Pokémon Adventures: Sword and Shield Manga, Volume 1

Three years ago: Blogging on Blogs: Jurnal Otaku Indonesia

Four years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Sorcerous Cup

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 6/29/2019

Six years ago: Monotype (of) Sorts

Seven years ago: 3DS Circle Pad and Pokémon Games... Plus My Experience

Freedom, On the Same Line

And latitude

Fold back the morning and bring on the night

There's an alien moon that hangs between darkness and light

Latitude

Between me and you, you're a straight line of distance

A cold stretch of black across blue

Latitude

-- "Latitude", Elton John

The world of Pokémon, even with some rules that some people and places may have, also offers a good deal of freedom to do some things and go to some places with involvement of the species of the same name. A concept that also expresses freedom in a way is "latitude", which regards the openness to do things on the spectrum of a line, much like those that circle the world in the east-west direction. That concept is essentially referred in the song I've quoted above, one of several by the same artist on the same album, also previously mentioned on this blog - yes, it's one of my attachments aside from Pokémon, but it's still valuable in all respects.

Quite a bit of the song makes references to scenes of daily life and the "distance" concept as part of the cartographic concept the song title refers to. Here again, "freedom" comes into play as the activities that a person may do in a day and the seemingly limitless possibilities of happenings in the environment. Similar things may occur in the Pokémon world for both regular people and Trainers, and of course all the Pokémon that accompany them or are present in the environment. And if they all lie on or approached by the same line - not necessarily that of latitude - then the openness of connections are evident.

Interestingly (or not), the song makes references to London, the city in England, which in the Pokémon world is reflected by the Galar region. The happenings then could be perceived as taking place in that region's analogue city (or cities), and the "freedom" concept carries over. Also, the moon in the Pokémon world, even if it is an analogue of the real world, could appear "alien" to some, and it seems to fit well with the "alien moon" as referred in the chorus, being the above quoted part.

Personally, I also perceive that the song contains a transition from the daytime to the nighttime (if the chorus as above doesn't already suggest as such), and this conjures up imagery of people with some things to do throughout the day, finally arriving at the night mentioned in the chorus. It makes sense to a certain extent, given all the elements of the song as I've mentioned above.

Having the freedom or latitude to do certain things is important, especially in the Pokémon world where there is the possibility of undertaking different kinds of adventures. And if they're all connected by certain lines, that may just be a prompt to have some of them in one's life and close up the distance between the person and other elements of the (Pokémon) world.

One year ago: Café Remix 3rd Anniversary: New Heights

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Goodies, Round 2

Three years ago: Road of 25th Anniversary: Going to the Far Side

Four years ago: A Virtual Figure Gathering

Five years ago: The Path of (the) Silph

Six years ago: Go Gets Social

Seven years ago: LINE Pokémon Themes