Showing posts with label Experiences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Experiences. Show all posts

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Quickies: Getting More Boxed In

I actually live - specifically, at this very moment - in a rather confined space, being surrounded by houses in two of the four cardinal directions and environments that I can't modify in the other two. As such, in a way, I'm essentially "boxed in" with regard to my surroundings... and it seems that is becoming more of the case as the specific environments change on their own or are changed by other means. Of course, I'm inclined to regard it in a Pokémon manner and in doing so also bring it up on this blog.

For that concern, it may be said that on one side, a Stakataka has been brought in to help "box out" one of those sides for its purposes. Obviously, this means that in turn, I'm the one getting "boxed in", further than the state that it's already in. Though it's helpful, said Pokémon species can also be somewhat quirky when it comes to others closing in on its territory. That means exercising further caution than what may be needed, and that then implies a further "boxing in" by way of just trying to stay clear.

Meanwhile, it has been also the case that the wildlife - in this case, being interpreted as wild Pokémon species - have also been closing in on the territory of the place where I live. Some of these (like a wild Espurr) are in a way benign and at times welcomed, while others (like a group of miniature but still "savage" Durant) are much less so for both of the mentioned qualities. With their presence, needless to say, it's another way I'm becoming "boxed in" despite not being literally the case around them.

Anyone would understand that getting "boxed in" is not exactly the best of feelings, whether or not the feeling can be interpreted to have certain Pokémon elements with it. The above is my Pokémon interpretation of the "boxed in" situation within which I'm currently present, and it's fanciful if nothing else for this Pokémon fan. It's still a hard thing in any case (and harder still if things don't change for the better), but Pokémon seems to make it a little easier on my mind and perception for all it's worth.

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Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Come on Over by Twilight Trails

Get a life, get a grip
Get away somewhere, take a trip
Take a break, take control
Take advice from someone you know, oh
Come on over, come on in
Pull up a seat, take a load off your feet
Come on over, come on in
You can unwind, take a load off your mind...
-- "Come On Over", Shania Twain

The Pokémon Go season has transitioned - specifically, just yesterday - and the new season is at hand. Yet just like for a season from three years ago, I'm inspired to mark the transition with a musical interpretation, moreover since I had provided one for when the previous season began. As with three years ago, I kept the song choice to one by the same artist, and the song that is quoted above seems to fit the bill to mark the seasonal transition from the end of one to the beginning of another.

Being also the title track of one of the early albums of the singer, the song itself is an upbeat invitation to go somewhere and relax, which is especially evident by the parts I've quoted, being the first verse and chorus. It's enthusiastic, optimistic, and opportunistic - even more so for the artist of the song, who could have been said to be on the rise at the time of its and its album's release. The same could be said to apply to Pokémon matters too, especially with regard to the above situation.

With regard to the current Pokémon Go season, its title is definitely suggestive of paths (as "trails") by which Trainers in and of the game can venture through, possibly to encounter new challenges, opportunities, and so on. As such, the "coming over" suggestion is fulfilled by this imagery, and the above song fills in the rest of the imagery nicely. Even so, the "twilight" portion of things seems to be suggestive of not only pertinent matters at this time of year but also other shady matters (to be detailed later) that may come over.

Generally, the song's upbeat premises, in the other parts of the song beyond the ones I've quoted, are also something that Trainers of all kinds may stand up for and support each other for their achievement. Overall, the song itself could also be construed as an invitation for Trainers to keep up their Pokémon journey on whatever paths they go on (whether or not that pertains to Pokémon Go), as well as to "come over" and gather with other Trainers to deal with the paths they have treaded on - perhaps even against each other.

Pokémon certainly wasn't on the mind of the artist, as part of the songwriting team, when the song was first released (after all, it was only a year old at the time). Yet framing the song with a Pokémon context obviously works out quite well, in particular with the seasonal transition of Pokémon Go as I've intended it to be. With that, after the occurring transition for the latter game's season, now the effort lies in treading the "twilight trails" as suggested... and Pokémon species and Trainers can "come over" along the way.

Seven years ago: The Music of TCGO
Eight years ago: Cosplay: Tachiagare
Nine years ago: My Book of Days
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Saturday, September 5, 2026

Returning for Mega Opportunities

September 5 is the day is when I usually discuss my return to playing Pokémon Go since nine years ago (see below), and in that regard this post will be no different. What becomes the differentiator this time - aside from the topic that I choose to tie into the discussion, also the case for past years - is that the post also becomes a tie-in for a certain Pokémon affair to come, and will be separately detailed in a post and discussion all its own. Yet that topic is pretty much already indicative, given the title of this specific post.

But first, there is the "return" aspect to deal with. Every point I make about my return to Pokémon Go in past years is essentially an opportunity in some form, and the posts from the past years may be construed to be indicative of some of the forms that those opportunities may take. Even I'm still discovering them, especially last year and this year, when I've taken some big steps in dealing with how I play the game - particularly by the twists of the game itself and others who play it. That could be considered something "mega" to deal with.

Then there's the topic at hand. The game has had Mega Evolution for the better part of six years now, and there have been a lot of opportunities for introducing novelties related to it as well as the species related to it, including some of the newest ones (Dragonite, Victreebel, and so on) and the ones that Trainers have long waited for (Mewtwo, and previously Metagross and others). For that, the game has done a somewhat good job of implementing as well as preserving the concept for past and present Mega opportunities.

Now, with all the species of the "first batch" having their Mega forms and the "second batch" being gradually introduced, Trainers are given a great opportunity to feel like they're playing the original sixth-generation games and the new "add-on" Legends game alongside their real-world adventure. What's left is the future for the ones that haven't been introduced, and as or before that happens, it is a good idea to make sure one is caught up with what is present; the opportunities to make that happen may be either fortunate or remarkable.

Many years after I've returned, a whole lot (or by this post's descriptor, "mega") has developed for Pokémon Go, and that goes for the player side and the technical side - even if it's just as rough as it is pleasant. By extension, that also means a whole lot of opportunities for a lot of facets related to Pokémon, which at present admittedly has quite a bit to do with Mega Evolution and whatever Trainers can or have mustered for that. For other opportunities and returns (by other people), the efforts and results could be "mega" as well.

Two years ago: Wishing Others' Return
Three years ago: Point of (No) Return?
Six years ago: Returns Come and Go
Eight years ago: A Happy Return
Nine years ago: Here I Go (Again)
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Friday, August 21, 2026

Returning to Pokémon Circumstances

A certain song out there with pop and folk characteristics - perhaps the title of this post could become a hint for that song, but I don't feel like "borrowing" it for this discussion - speaks of some "circumstances" that one could return to in a life that continues to pass by. It's a rather fond song with regard to the memories that it evokes for those who listen to the song, and as expected, this post takes (some) inspiration from that song for applicable Pokémon dealings.

Some Pokémon dealings involve journeys, particularly if they pertain to Trainers, for which that can be an extended or long one. Returning, in this case, can take some time (especially if one ends up far away) and may not necessarily line up with a schedule. But for closer distances, one could potentially return in time for whatever that lies in wait at the place of return. It is certain that any Pokémon along the way might just (want to) help to make that happen.

Then there are those things that lie in wait at the place. They could involve maintenance of elements that are already present - in particular, some Pokémon species - and enjoyment of simple pleasures from those same present elements. The possibilities for this are extensive (including taking stock of Combee and watching Swablu fly) given how Pokémon species are, so people are free to interpret this in any way they like while still involving Pokémon somehow.

Meanwhile, it is likely that people who like Pokémon - that is, its fans - will pass on their liking to others and especially further generations. In that case, when it manifests, it may become a sentimental moment for the ones involved. It's a "return to circumstance" in some ways, and that's something to be believed for the possibility of it being able to happen. In fact, much of the above can also be believed as implied in another "returning" song from many years ago.

Even without the pertinent details of the song being discussed, it becomes rather evident that the song promotes certain sentiments through those details, and if one looks hard enough, one can find ways to make them reflect Pokémon or relate to it in some way. The "return" to those "circumstances" may be something that every person for whom Pokémon has meaning looks forward to happen within their current and future lives to bring about some fondness.

One year ago: #YesToPokemon
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Saturday, August 15, 2026

I'm Already There (and You're Always There)

I'm already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground
I'm the whisper in the wind
And I'll be there until the end
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh I'm already there
Oh I'm already there...
-- "I'm Already There", Lonestar

When I bring up a song that has no apparent relation to Pokémon on this blog, it can be reasoned that the song ties into my thoughts or experiences involving Pokémon things. The song quoted above speaks to the second of these two realms, and rather strongly at that. It used to be a song that I wouldn't have second thoughts over, but I now truly have those second thoughts with subsequent listening of the song - specifically for Pokémon experience.

Now, the song is about a man reassuring a child and significant other, being separated by a great distance from them, that he is always present wherever they are and they will remain together, at least spiritually. It became popular over two decades ago likely because it spoke to the experiences of people separated in this way due to a certain conflict - not for discussion here. The quoted part above is the final chorus, a blending of the first two that preceded it. As such, the strength of feelings that pertain to this song becomes somewhat evident.

Since the parting of Ash in the anime, it could be regarded that even if he's not around in it anymore, he's still somewhere just like how it's a certain time of day in some place. With that, the spirit of the choruses - and maybe a little bit of the verses - apply for those who still appreciate him for who he is, like me. The new anime won't erase the legacy of the old, and that would apply to the presence as well. Surely, Ash will be present in some way at some place, and that would be felt through the elements that are mentioned in the chorus.

Then... there is a sense that the song could be understood to apply to those who have departed - as in, forever. I've had to experience one of those departures several months ago with my "Delia", who in many ways is also relevant to my Pokémon appreciation. This day, in fact, happens to be related to her as it's her "special day", even if in the past I've struggled to remember and not remember it because of how things have been even with her presence. And now, that presence only becomes "spiritual", again thanks to the chorus as mentioned.

For those who are always there, the assurance and perception that they will be as such may be difficult to establish. Yet this song presents some of the ways that can be realized, even for specific Pokémon matters and others that are only adjacent to it. Once assured and perceived, the hope is that people will understand that they've always been there all along, even if not physically. At that point, (Pokémon) life goes on however the presence may be.

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Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Am I Relationally Challenged?

As a Pokémon fan, I'm not without problems, which can be evidenced by two posts with similarly structured titles from past years. Now I'm about to write up a third one, which could be considered a follow-up to the second of the two posts above, but it also has some separate concerns. The earlier post dealt with communication, as in interacting with other people or entities; this one addresses relation, as in how I make sense of things - not necessarily with communication involved, but it could be. And then there's the necessary Pokémon aspect.

Making sense of (understanding) things to determine their relations is important in daily life, never mind doing so for all kinds of Pokémon games. Yet for all I've done well in this regard, it seems that there are still plenty of circumstances where I've had problems in determining relations. In the specific case of Pokémon games, this would involve how I make sense of their elements and then applying them, for example like moves in a battle. Sometimes they don't turn out how I'd expect them to be and I only find out about them after the fact.

Then there is the issue of putting out my thoughts on those relations in words - particularly on this blog. In doing so, I have to make sense of the relations Pokémon things first before I then go on to put them in writing on a post, and in either case, it seems sometimes that as I build those relations, I also have problems in doing so, like they don't make sense (to me) even as I've tried to make them make sense - if you get my drift. After having done so in the past ten years or so, it seems odd that it does happen, but the fact of the matter is... it does happen.

Like with the communication challenges discussed earlier, there may be a chance that the problems I have with relating things in and outside of Pokémon may be explained by a certain (mental) condition, even if that could only be explained later on and somehow. Whether that is or isn't true, probable, or resolvable - if it happens to be so - in some way, I want to say that I'm doing the best I can in any case. And of course, that won't change the fact that I'll always be attracted to Pokémon and be doing something with it in some form for everyone.

I've had many years of being able to make relations and make sense of them for all kinds of things, including but not limited to Pokémon. Many of them have turned out sensibly and in the best manner, but quite a few didn't or haven't seem to, which then became the prompt for this post and the question that its title entails. Even so, it just seems to be a part of the many "challenges" that I seem to possess when it comes to dealing with life and all the elements that are present in it, and with Pokémon included, that makes for a challenging life as well.

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Friday, July 3, 2026

Quickies: Sitrus in Your Life

One of the most numerous kinds of fruit in the real world is the citrus fruit, which beyond the most commonly known kinds (orange, lemon, and lime) is actually highly varied in content, appearance, and even flavor. It's actually a special kind of berry called a "hesperidium" with a unique structure. Needless to say, that should pique the interest of (and be evocative to) Pokémon fans, who are certainly familiar with the numerous Berries that exist in its world that have nearly similar variations in the aspect above and... well, they're Berries, just like how citrus fruits are actually one kind. It's surely enough to make me want to mention them in writing.

Then there are the names of two of them that are related by the above fact. The Oran and Sitrus Berries, being related by the virtue of being a letter or two off from "orange" and "citrus" respectively, may be considered representative of this class of items and natural objects, not the least of which because they're likely the first ones an upstart Trainer will encounter. They're also known for their HP recovery abilities when they're held by Pokémon, and in that way they're also likely the first kinds of these items that Trainers will learn about using. Like the real citrus fruits they are named for, they'll make their way into the lives of Trainers and become a part.

It is also known that the HP recovery abilities of both Berries are different, with the former recovering a little and the latter recovering a lot. Thus, it can be easily determined which one is likely to be used by Trainers of different skill levels - if they use them at all, which is not always a certainty. Still, if the title of this post is a suggestion, again with reference to the above about citrus fruits being a part of real life, the Sitrus Berry is likely to become a big part of the lives of many Pokémon Trainers. With that being the case, there would then be a lot of HP recovery going on with them being given or used, and that would be as pleasant as it is sharp in effect.

Now, it seems that I've got to go find some Sitrus Berries and make them part of my current life...

Seven years ago: I Splurged, for Once
Nine years ago: Spicy Tamato
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Wednesday, June 24, 2026

When One and One Really Is Two

Baby show me 1+1=2
Show me all the things that you can do
Show me that you need me, show me that you love me
Baby show me 1+1=2
Baby show me 1+1=2
Show me all the things that you can do
Show me that you breathe me, show me that you hug me
Baby show me that 1+1=2
-- "1+1=2", Lou Bega

Several years ago, for a very numerically driven year, I ended the year with a reflective writeup that concerned the primary number in question. Along with that, I also brought in a comment from a certain musician (not the one which will soon become obvious) that a specific way of arithmetically mentioning the year may not always be how it seems. This time, I'm bringing back the philosophical topic in a truer sense and addressing it with other relevant Pokémon matters, as well as a related but perhaps lesser-known song by a singer who was momentarily popular for another song.

The song - stated as "one plus one is two" - in some ways does concern a "significant other" for which when one becomes together with that entity, there is the possibility of being able to do a lot of things - especially when the "significant other" is also capable of doing a lot of things as well, some that may be as mentioned in the chorus of the song as quoted above. This definitely bodes well for romance, which is the song's main intent, but it could also work for certain other things.

Certainly, some of those things could be Pokémon ones. A Trainer and a partner Pokémon make up a "two", as does two of the latter on one side of a Double Battle as well as the two sides of any battle in general, no matter how many people and Pokémon are on each side. Everyone and everything as mentioned have the capability to do great things together - in fact, those things could resemble the ones as mentioned in the above chorus, with or without romance somehow involved.

Meanwhile, contemporarily, many Trainers of certain fame are also linked to a specific partner Pokémon, which makes them significant for great things in all kinds of battles. Then, it's also possible for fans to collect merchandise items that belong together, between themselves and the fans in question. That makes for Pokémon twosomes that are significant for themselves and among others as well.

Philosophically, the previous writeup remains relevant, but it's hard to deny that one and one of something makes up two of those things. That applies even for Pokémon things, which can and do sometimes come in twos and make for great things. For that, to close off this post, another part of the same song makes for a great affirmation of truly "significant others", even for Pokémon by its many fans:

You're my my my number one
And not my my my number five
So please baby, please baby, please baby come
Please baby, come and get into my life!

Seven years ago: The Show Must Go On
Eight years ago: Jumping the 'Karp
Nine years ago: Married... to Pikachu?
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Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Forever, As It Will Be

'Cause I'm keeping you forever and for always
We will be together all of our days
Wanna wake up every morning to your sweet face
Always...
-- "Forever and For Always", Shania Twain

The title of this new Pokémon Go season is "Forever Forward". It is (or may shape up to be) a festively profound season specifically for the game itself and its anniversary, though like the previous season, general ties to the big Pokémon anniversary may still be at hand. Because of its "forever" nature, I thought I'd bring up this song, by an artist I occasionally mention on this blog, that also speak of the nature of some things being "forever". It becomes another musical inspiration for discussion, much like for "Hidden Gems" literally nearly three years prior.

By all accounts, the song quoted above is a love song; as can be discerned by its title, it deals with love that can become seemingly eternal, carried from childhood to adulthood and onwards to old age. In fact, the music video for the very song depicts just that: a boy and a girl who are attracted to each other grow older yet still maintain feelings for each other. It can be considered one of the most beautiful things in this world, and it may just happen in Pokémon settings too, whether in actual reality or the reality of that world.

So it is that some fans (including me) may think up of Ash from the old Pokémon anime as a figure of attraction - especially given the "floating timeline" characteristic - inwardly to the Pokémon that he's ever had and outwardly to the fans who admire him. In all cases, there may be the wish that the chorus of the song as the part quoted above is realized (inwardly) and could be realized (outwardly) for all the admiration and attraction that goes on involving him. The feelings and imagery are rather profound in this case.

Meanwhile, taking things back to a more general state of Pokémon affairs, this Pokémon Go season that occurs in the vein of a major Pokémon anniversary may suggest that Pokémon fans can have Pokémon with them for as long as they wish - even if not eternally, at least close to that - if the fans and supporters of this franchise wills it as such. That, combined with the spirit of eternally moving in the forward direction as suggested by the season title, makes for a state of affairs that is evocative of the feelings of the quoted song.

People will always have the desire of being with whatever it is they like, love, and/or appreciate for as long as possible - maybe even close to eternally if the fates can have such a will for them. The current Pokémon Go season and the major Pokémon anniversary is seemingly bringing out that impression for their fans, even if it may already be apparent through certain (character) aspects. With that, as Pokémon continues to color everyone's days onwards to the future, a persistent and seemingly eternal presence may just always be the case.

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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Days of Pokémon Disappointment

Pokémon is supposed to bring joy to all who deal with and experience it. Unfortunately, in current times, it seems that it also brings its share of disappointments, whether personal or shared. That also can be described as ongoing on the basis of days, which can make the disappointment all the more regrettable. With that, I thought I'd outline some of those disappointments that have plagued my days and those of others.

Due to extenuating circumstances and for convenience, for today's Raid Hour in Pokémon Go, I joined my local community's meetup... and was reminded of why I rarely do so, at least a primary reason for such: I'm not able to keep up with the others, in particular their pace. It is why now I prefer alternative arrangements for this and other events. The disappointment here certainly lies in the fact that it is the local community, and it has become a certain "color" for today and even other days (and players) when it is involved. 

Meanwhile, scalpers continue to take root in some affairs involving Pokémon goodies and TCG items - unfortunately, even for ones that revolve locally. This has also caused some commotion for those local goodies due to the exposure, in particular for their prices and scalping practices that in a way has also led to unsavory effects. The things done by scalpers are already proving to be disappointing enough, but the spread of what they do to other people makes the situation even more of a disappointment, now and later on.

Then, the "Firestar effect" seems to continue to be felt even now on social media, based on the comments of some users on there. Now, there has even been an incident that is completely unrelated to Pokémon games yet has echoes of what happened back then, also involving real competitions and questions of what is fair and unfair. Being informed of the new incident is a real disappointment, not to mention the sentiments that linger after what happened with the tournament where the Pokémon game incident happened.

Having been exposed to or having dealt with the happenings above, both related and not related to (or at least, in whole or in part evocative of) Pokémon, disappointment would certainly be felt, perhaps even by eventual readers of this post. It's a regrettable state of affairs that disappointment is felt even with the happiness that Pokémon things bring, and given what has transpired, fans like me may still feel it in the days ahead.

One year ago: A Pokémon Card Binder
Two years ago: Horizons of Promise
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Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Clear Shades of the Past

Now, it seems it's real for me
The farther away you go
The closer you are to me
I will keep and let it grow
This love you gave to me
So deep within my heart...
-- "Nuansa Bening (A Clear Shade)" (interpretive lyrical translation)

OK, OK, one more song for Pokémon experience - this time because it's rather important and close to the moment. The song now is a local song for which I've quoted the chorus and gave it a translation that one (you) can sing to if that's the choice. The relation to Pokémon will certainly be interpretative, but it also has an indirect link that ties into the importance and the moment as I've mentioned. All of those things now demand explanation.

The song has the title as such (even if only mentioned in one place) because it's about the feeling of attraction one person that is unbounded and leaves a certain feeling in that person's heart - the "clear shade", in a manner of speaking. It's a very romantic feeling, whether one has gotten close to a significant other or perhaps even separated. And it seems that this point may be relevant to the situation that applies to the song and its associated artist.

As for fitting this song with Pokémon, "moments of everlasting togetherness" would fit the bill given the above interpretation. As suggested by the title of this post, perhaps they could apply not only to moments of the present but also of the past, ones that are likely to be quite fondly remembered and whatever mix of entities is involved (people and Pokémon).

Now, this song has been sung by a different artist in the more distant past, but in modern times, it's known for being one of the signature songs of Vidi Aldiano despite being a cover - which is why I didn't tag the artist in the quote. Vidi also happened to be one of the featured local artists in the big local Pokémon event from one and a half years ago, on Day 1 - the day before I (Ash) went there. With that, the Pokémon relation is evident, and...

...I'm sorry to say, said artist passed away a few days ago after a long battle with cancer (which also strikes a chord for me personally). Due to the Pokémon ties, the importance and the moment become evident as well. Many of the artist's fans have been grieving, and I'm sure those who saw his Pokémon performance then may also be in such as state.

With the song's imagery, clarity is certainly something that many people would wish to see for all their current and past moments, especially romantic ones. Some of them would certainly have this song to thank for being able to do so, and even now after the passing of the modern artist, some of those clear moments - including for Pokémon - will remain.

Two years ago: To Be a Jumpluff
Three years ago: Postcards in Pokémon Go
Four years ago: On the "Grass Divas"
Seven years ago: Quantity and Quality
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Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Come Sail with Me (Us) (and Pokémon)

I'm sailing away
Set an open course for the virgin sea
Cause I've got to be free
Free to face the life that's ahead of me
On board I'm the captain, so climb aboard
We'll search for tomorrow on every shore
And I'll try, oh Lord, I'll try to carry on
...
A gathering of angels
Appeared above my head
They sang to me this song of hope
And this is what they said
They said come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me...
-- "Come Sail Away", Styx

I'm in a song-and-experience mood to discuss about Pokémon matters, so I'm going to throw in another one. This rather old song seems to come across to listeners when the circumstances present themselves, whether they're relevant to the themes or situations involved with the song. The same is (or was) true for me personally, and being a Pokémon fan, things revolved back to that, making it worthy of a discussion with that relevance and on this blog.

The song is by a rock band and consists of a soft part and a hard part, which could be construed as the "verse" and "chorus" respectively. It brings up the virtues of sailing on the open sea... and sky, if the "chorus" is of any suggestion. It's slightly melancholic yet optimistic, which may explain its association by some people to memories of both qualities. And then there's the association with some facets of pop culture - Pokémon for this purpose.

Even if they don't actually sail on the sea, every Trainer can be considered to "sail" on their Pokémon journey - to meet Pokémon of the land, sea, and sky, all of which can be made to fit the premises of the song in some way. Certainly, not all of the memories may be happy, but as the "captains" of their journey, the Trainers will deal with them in the best ways possible, and they'll go wherever they go for the experience - something familiar to many.

Meanwhile, the song is similar in spirit but somewhat different in message and radically so in genre to another song I brought up some years ago, which has an alternate (but commonly mentioned and recognized) title of... "Sail Away". Yet for Pokémon Trainers specifically and fans of the franchise in general, they'll certainly take all that in however it's possible for them to do so, and the message of being able to go places remains relevant in that way.

As a footnote, this song may have something to do with, erm... some actual (new) "seafaring" business that also happens to coincide on this particular day, albeit one of the imagination and one that last year had forged a link to Pokémon (in an alternate form). But that's not really for me to deal with on this blog; that's for myself to enjoy later. Regardless, it's another pop culture facet that can now be an "adjunct" to Pokémon in some ways.

"Sailing away" is a common prospect where boats, ships, and other vessels of their kind are of concern, and this can apply very much for Pokémon and other realistic realms as much as it does for real life. Much is to be found in the effort of doing so, even if the vessels and the media they're on are only figurative. There's a "song of hope" in all of those cases, and there's always the call and the answer to go through it as much as possible.

Two years ago: The "Reject" Terms
Seven years ago: Everybody, Polkamon
Eight years ago: Action or Strategy?
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Monday, March 9, 2026

The Pearls of My Experience

And so I've made up my mind
I'm gonna be yours this time
I'm gonna give all I've got
And get your love in return
And so I've made up my mind
I'm gonna be yours this time
I'm gonna teach you to trust
And learn how to burn
Experience pearls (pearls of experience)...
-- "Experience Pearls", Ace of Base

Since the "hidden theme" of this year's Pokémon anniversary is the "pearl anniversary", I thought I'd give out some additional "pearls of wisdom", specifically by a song that has the precious item of concern in its title. Many of the songs I bring up in this way are specifically related to (my) Pokémon experience, which in a way explains the category label that I give to the posts - but this one seems to be as relevant since it has that word in the title.

For that, the song is a lesser-known one of this once-popular pop group. The lyrics of the song itself tell of a person who wishes to become a (romantic) partner of someone who is down, even to the point of shedding tears - perhaps because of heartbreak from a previous partner. The allegory is that those tears can be converted into "pearls" that show the value of that person as a new partner, or maybe even a "true" partner, after all that's happened.

Then comes the interpretation with Pokémon. Though the species themselves do not really connect through romantic attraction to people (except in one very specific case and in light of certain facts - not to be discussed here), they can connect through social relations, and those social relations may just have the power to convert tears into "pearls" as much as romantic attraction can, in all the same ways that the song lyrics suggest.

With that in mind, it seems the recently released Pokémon Pokopia game (a few days ago, which I haven't covered) might be a venue where things are converted into "pearls" in a figurative sense. Its "dystopic" initial setting and its premises of interacting with Pokémon to build a better world both align with that sense, which makes this song able to cover that game interpretatively. It's a fascinating thought at the very least.

In general, Pokémon makes many people (including me) happy and content, no matter what goes on in the world around them, so that becomes a "pearl" in itself. That has been true for me in my long history with Pokémon and what I've observed with other fans and what they do with Pokémon, so the song's message still holds in that regard.

Experience is a strong shaper of the things that people do, in and out of Pokémon. If this song has anything to say about that, it is that the good and not-so-good ones alike can be turned into wonderful things ("pearls") later on, whether that applies to romance or otherwise. That's a "pearl of wisdom" for Pokémon experience and beyond.

Four years ago: The Support of Fans
Six years ago: Toxic People and Fans
Seven years ago: Interpretative Soundtracks
Eight years ago: Father Figure?
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Tuesday, February 24, 2026

(Really) Stuck on You

Stuck on you
I've got this feeling down deep in my soul
That I just can't lose
Guess I'm on my way
Needed a friend
And the way I feel now
I guess I'll be with you 'til the end
Guess I'm on my way
Mighty glad you stayed
-- "Stuck on You", Lionel Richie

After the matter on "you" in the previous post, I thought I'd run with the theme and present a song that also relates to Pokémon experiences with relation to that theme. Its anniversary is also coming up quickly, so there has to be something related to that, and this song also fits the bill. It's also similar in some ways to a certain song that I brought up a few years prior at around this time, which makes it even more appropriate.

This pop (and slightly country) song, which is by a well-known singer of old times, is about a certain attraction that a person just can't let go of - likely a romantic one in the vein of similar songs. Other themes involved in and for the attraction, as expressed in the song, are relations, yearning, and thankfulness, especially if that attraction has been in progress for quite some time. The hope is that the attraction can last in the times ahead.

Of course, for Pokémon fans, the attraction would be for Pokémon itself - thus, being "stuck on Pokémon". That's how it may have been from the beginning, whether from the start of a fan's attraction or from the start of the existence of Pokémon itself. It's especially significant for the occasion of this anniversary, which is pretty long, so this song might be of significance to those certain fans - and especially me, who has also been in it for a long time.

For the people embedded within Pokémon itself - that is, whose popular moniker is Trainers - they might just be stuck on the individual species that they train, befriend, associate with, and so on and so forth. The sentiments in the song apply very well in this regard (in some cases [ahem] also romantically, as the actual suggestion of the song), and the attachment becomes quite evident for those who bear the specific moniker as above.

It's been a real long time for Pokémon and all of its fans everywhere, and their attachment to the franchise has to be evident and true at this point. The "you" song as quoted above could be construed as a reflection of their sentiments, moreover as the character(s) they identify with and the eponymous species they are linked to. With that, every fan of Pokémon is "on their way" and should be glad that it has stayed all this time.

Three years ago: The Hoenn Cup of GBL
Four years ago: The Johto Cup of GBL
Seven years ago: Don't Forget Our Roots
Nine years ago: Memories of Johto
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Saturday, February 7, 2026

Smashing the Pidgey Alarm

Something that I struggle with sometimes is waking up at specific times, even with alarms that are set for that purpose. At times I'd wake up as intended and be ready for those times, but at other times I'd miss the alarm completely, perhaps even by going back to sleep. This problem would certainly not be unique to me, as I'm sure others experience it as well. In fact, for those who know, it has a Pokémon instance with a very well-known character, being of course Ash from the anime - and it relates to a key element with a certain Pokémon flavor.

Ash has an alarm clock with a Pidgey motif, and as seen in two episodes of the anime, it was apparent that some vision in a dream caused him to think that it was a Poké Ball, leading him to pick it up and throw it against the wall as if it were one. The result is that the clock gets smashed, which invariably leads him to miss something important; the first time was the Pokémon camp, and the second was the first day of his Trainer career as the selection of his first partner. In some ways, it was as fortunate as it was grave.

In the times where I don't wake up as intended, I feel like I have effectively "smashed the Pidgey alarm" in both literal and figurative manners of speaking, even if the alarm doesn't have a physical manifestation like the alarm clock as mentioned above. Solutions to the problem may not come easily, although I can always prepare them preventively and curatively. Nevertheless, the end result of having a "smashed alarm" beside me just like Ash did with his in those situations can still present itself even imaginatively.

For as long as I need to wake up at precise times to do certain things, there's always the chance that I'd miss it by a little, for which I can easily regroup, or by a lot, for which the "smashed alarm" situation applies. It's a real struggle for many things, even some Pokémon things in real life, and it's a struggle that continues to manifest in different situations and ways related to them. Still, thinking about it in a Pokémon perspective just shows how universally applicable the situation is, even in its fantasy that may just translate to the reality.

Four years ago: All Star, All Pokémon
Six years ago: Turning Around and Back
Eight years ago: An Eye for Pokémon
Nine years ago: Conserve and Cooperate
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Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Nine Years... in My Item Storage

So, as of this post, it completes a full nine years of blogging about Pokémon on all kinds of topics, from hard ones related to the games and the rest of the Pokémon franchise fandom to soft ones related to much of my own experiences and at least a little bit of some of other fans. Like previous years, to close off the year, I take a concept or mechanic - mostly from the main series games - and attempt to apply that to all that I've blogged about within that time. The concept I've chosen for this year is item storage (or Bag, when talking about general-purpose Pokémon Trainers), something that is evidently needed for those main series games but is also applicable to other Pokémon games with their multitudes of similar yet different items. 

When I started this blog, I didn't have much of an inkling of what I'd post about, and I'd often choose random topics to discuss - like a Trainer starting out with only a few items in their Bag. In more recent times and especially this year, those "random topics" have settled into a kind of "regularity", like for a Trainer having a ready stock of various kinds of items in their Bag, ready to use them when the opportunity strikes. My regular event rollups and coverage for Pokémon Go, updates on certain progressions for all kinds of Pokémon games, and some days of the year with posts dedicated to more esoteric topics are examples of the evident "regularity".

Many items, in and out of the main series games, are certainly of the "enhancer" nature, like the hold items I discussed a year ago (see below). But the main series games also have a host of what are called "key items" that serve to advance the adventure in some way. My takes on all kinds of Pokémon aspects, like the ones in the "gimme five" series posts throughout this year followed by other facets of the franchise have elements of both enhancement and advancement - in many cases depending on how readers and other fans look at them.

Quite incidentally, nearly two years ago, I had discussed the amounts of items Trainers may have in their Bag in general, and the points that I had discussed there (re)apply into this end-of-year discussion with the more general topic of item storage. For the concerns of this blog, the path taken can be said to be the "moderate" path with sufficient items (or discussions) that free Trainers - or fans - to take whatever Pokémon path they want or need to take for them. 

Yet much recently, there has been the concern of "maxing out" the items in my storage, which can and still do happen in games that impose such limits like Café Remix and Pokémon Go, and the associated problems that come with that. That translates to this blog as having issues in composing posts and having to cope with them like Trainers use up their excess items.

Nine years is a pretty long time for blogging efforts, especially in my case where I devote them to a specialized topic, in this case Pokémon. Even more specialized within that is the body of items that make up one's storage in the games of the franchise or wherever they apply.

Looking into my "item storage", it seems that I've got a varied lot of items in it, like the posts on this blog, and that has to be shown off within this year and the next. Cheers! 🍒🎈🎀

Seven years ago: Two Years of Evolution
Eight years ago: One Year Full of Pokémon
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Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Realizing Agreements

The fire
Making me clean
Making me fly
Spinning me 'round and 'round
Spinning me 'round
The fire
Within your eyes
This mystic time
I've known before
Once before
The flame
Within my heart
Agreements made
Are now realized
Like before...
-- "Agreement", Kitaro (vocals by Jon Anderson)

As for a song to really close off this year, as I've discussed others in all of the past years, I had to think and really think about it, and I settled on the above quoted song in the end. "Settled" becomes an appropriate word, for its title ("Agreement") has that very connotation. It's an intriguing connotation to say the least, and framing that in the Pokémon experiences I've had this year on and off this blog is something that can and should be done.

But first, the song itself needs to be discussed. This is one of the few vocal songs by this "new age" composer, though the vocals are provided by a singer better known as the vocalist of a certain band. It's also a pretty long (and slow) song, of which the first pre-chorus and chorus are quoted above. As a result, its flow and lyrics are pretty drawn out, which applies to the themes and imagery, and ultimately how the song can relate to Pokémon.

The most curious part of the quoted lyrics as above is of course the "fire" and "flame" that have certain effects, if many Pokémon species of the former type are to be considered. The song itself suggests a kind of "delirium" with these elements as well in light of what has been quoted above, and with all of the goings-on in Pokémon this year, players and fans might find themselves in that kind of "delirium", trying to seek agreement with the happenings.

Seeking agreements is of course one thing; realizing them is quite another. Throughout this year, that has been a challenge, as I had addressed with my review in light of the "yearly theme" I supposed for this year. Even now, coming to terms with what is expected to make an agreement happen may still be difficult for several Pokémon matters - not the least of which are remnants of other matters - and may be further challenging with the "delirium".

If this song has any other indication, it may be that realizing agreements might require one to make sense of and make peace with the world, and that is similar in spirit to other songs and musical pieces by this artist. That is an "agreement" in itself, and the same would be true for Pokémon matters and happenings, especially those that have been present over the course of this year. The next agreement might just be to make sure that all of those turn out for the best.

One year ago: The Road Never Ends
Two years ago: Tales Told, One by One
Three years ago: Someday, Soon...
Four years ago: ...Is There Still Time?
Five years ago: Return to Believe
Six years ago: (Extra-)Ordinary Days
Seven years ago: One Day, in Life
Eight years ago: When I See You Again
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Saturday, November 1, 2025

Burning Up, Down, and All Around

Ill wind blows the road to go
How many times we've told you so
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
No rhyme or reason
No way to make it easy 'til it's done
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
So you cross onto the other side of the street
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
Should know better but you keep turning up the heat...
-- "Burn You Up, Burn You Down", Peter Gabriel

It is well-known that Pokémon has the Fire type, for which its various species have various ways of inciting flames and burning things to a crisp. Even then, some species not of the type may still be able to use moves of the type (or not necessarily) to inflict characteristic burns of their own. For me, that seems oddly reminiscent of a rather fiery song that I've gotten to know quite well through other means, and that would be the above song. 

The part that I've chosen to quote is its second verse, which is where the ideas expressed in the title are first mentioned in the song as "responses" to the "calls" of the verse. The part in its entirety may represent the struggle that a Fire-type Pokémon may have to go through in order to bring the heat to other Pokémon and/or other things. It's a struggle that may have its twists and turns, considering the invoked imagery of streets.

Meanwhile, the song itself overall is a pop-rock number, and much of it can be considered to have to do with making things work for oneself and others in the face of certain obstacles (for example, falling rain). It's especially evident in the chorus, which may be a little less "friendly" in consideration of Pokémon - not quoted here and further doesn't contain the titular ideas - but if the song is of any indication, then it too perhaps can be made to work somehow.

As an aside, this song has had a few different versions, but one version will resonate with fans of a certain thing, as it was used within one iteration of that "certain thing" - in two guises, no less. It's also even been alluded as recently as two posts ago. Obviously I resonate as such, but then I also resonate with having this song tie into Pokémon, hence the purpose of this post. Some ideals seem to transcend, after all.

Perhaps the most important line - "you can make it happen..." - which is sung near the end of the song, also encapsulates its general sentiments. Whether that would be for Fire-type Pokémon species trying to make their (burn) mark or people in general trying to accomplish what it is they need, there might just be a way for all of that to happen. And with that, their fervor can burn in every which way possible.

Five years ago: The Halloween Cup of GBL
Six years ago: Later, Psyduck
Seven years ago: Hardcore (Dis)United
Eight years ago: Duff Knows Pokémon
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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Pokémon Agility Contests??

Lately, I've been on a kick of watching agility contest videos (as in, ones that involve dogs), with them having been suggested to me during my off time. They can be rather dazzling to see when the participants do them right - and quickly, as the contest name suggests - yet just plainly entertaining even if they don't. That, of course, got me to thinking about how the contest might be applied to Pokémon and what species might be involved, as a way of considering how the contest might pervade the world.

If the contest's moniker is of any indication, the Pokémon that could be involved in them would be ones that can learn the "Agility" move... but given that both big and small Pokémon know the move, and that the real contest features predominantly small-ish animals, then the Pokémon that would be involved in the contest would be smaller ones, preferably those who know the given move. Of course, they might not have to know it to participate, and their results would lean to the "entertainment" aspect as above.

Before going on further, it has to be noted that technically, Pokémon already has its own "implementation", if it may be considered as such, of an "agility contest". That would be the spinoff game of Pokémon Dash on the Nintendo DS, which by now is a relic for the concern of many fans. The name of the game itself already has such allusions, if its core activity of making Pokémon race doesn't already suggest as such. The core activity itself might be somewhat different than an actual agility contest yet not too far off either.

Yet it may still be apt and creative to try to combine elements from the two aspects above (the real contest and the game) for creating an "agility contest" that is truly unique for Pokémon like the game but reflects the sensibilities of the real contest. That would also mean dealing with timing - an important sensibility in this regard - in addition to any other entailments and proposed features of the contest. After that, things depend on how workable the resulting contest would be for everyone and even the Pokémon.

As for my own dealings, I'm likely to continue to watching those videos of real agility contests for the entertainment and pleasure they bring, at least for a little bit of my most recent spare time and while I'm not dealing with Pokémon matters. Then, when I come back to dealing with Pokémon matters, I can then think about the contests again in a Pokémon frame of reference... or then deal with that realized "implementation". Either way, I seem to be due for some "fast times" for Pokémon matters or otherwise.

One year ago: Pokémon Airships
Three years ago: Stamp Events in Café Remix
Four years ago: Just Waiting on an Absol
Seven years ago: Resilience
Eight years ago: Cosplay: Arigatoo...!!!
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Friday, September 26, 2025

You Only Live Once (YOLO)... for Pokémon

I've explained an aspect of certain feelings and how that may relate to Pokémon, then proceeded to explain one of two others that I said would be related to that aspect - even if faintly by experience - while still including Pokémon. Now, I'd like to "close the gap (or circle)" by explaining the third in the group, certainly along with Pokémon. It is now also evident of how else the three aspects are related - by their assonance - besides by experience and now putting them alongside Pokémon.

The third aspect is "YOLO", short for "you only live once". It does mean what one would think it implies: there is really only one life for every person in this world, notwithstanding the possible future ones in different spiritual realms. It also means that one may also have certain freedom to pursue all the good and best things in life, for there may only be one chance for them. Depending on the person, this may be a prompt to pursue different things - hopefully ones that are wholesome for one and all, like Pokémon.

For that, Pokémon can provide entertainment in all its varied media forms, achievements for those who are willing to go the extra mile, and connections to all kinds of fans who enjoy and seek for the same things. All those things are great things to have in a life that may only occur once, so to pursue any and all of them would be great to do. Though, as they say, the pursued things may not be able to be carried over to the next life, it may be that the wisdom gained from them could be, and that may be the only comfort.

Meanwhile, the aspect is also the exact title of an instrumental music piece by Yanni - which I don't have to say is an artist I'm rather fond of and have frequently attempted to connect on this blog. It's a contemplative but upbeat piece that may provoke considerations of much of the above. A little more offbeat from that is a song with slightly closer ties that I happened to discuss exactly one year ago (see below), but may also be regarded to have similar spirits to the aspect as I've discussed above, and that too is a good thing.

With this discussion, the three experiential aspects have all been discussed and are all now present on this blog along with their possible ties to Pokémon. All their relations, to each other as well as to Pokémon, seemingly may not be clear-cut to most people and/or fans, but at least by my dealings with them and then with Pokémon, some things may become evident to be considered. And all that happens within the time that is my life, which like other life is fleeting and perhaps only once... but in a good way, especially with Pokémon.

One year ago: Only Here, Only Now
Three years ago: The Original Dance Mix
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