Seeking Salvation for Me and Others

Pokémon can be considered to keep me in line in some ways, and this might very well be also applicable to others. What I perhaps haven't really brought up much - apart from a mention some years ago - is the "safety" that it brings for me and others, and how that "safety" can be sought after. I thought I'd bring it up for a discussion at this current point, given I had a bit of a vision (perhaps it could also be construed as a dream) of how things could be without that "safety" and what it means for me and others as we seek it. 

In the vision, there was an electrical catastrophe of a major sort, something that I might say could be caused by an errant Pikachu or Raichu - if it were a Pokémon causing it. Otherwise, it's the sort of thing that I might cause if I were more of an errant person myself, perhaps much like some people who are hanging around in society at present who have more "unsafe" tendencies. There's a sense that I'm kept out of this by being involved with Pokémon matters, and that works out to my benefit - a sought "safety".

For other people, the benefits might be similar in that Pokémon can afford them the best experiences of an ideal and safe humanity - and to keep it that way, given some of the things that occur in the games and its other media forms. Seeking after this "safety" might become a goal for many people, whether or not they realize it, and Pokémon might just provide the means. Some of the efforts in all those media forms at the very least have some good to them, and leveraging them might be the first effort to bring about safety.

At present, there might be a lot of "unsafe" things in the world, and they might continue for a good bit of time, with some of the consequences potentially unknown. The vision I had might represent some of those potentially unknown consequences, even if I'm not the one who brought them about in the first place. What is known well is that Pokémon has a lot of good things going for it, and they might just be good enough for "safety" in this sometimes "unsafe" world; the former is definitely someting to go towards and seek.

One year ago: Network Connections

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2023 (Global), Day 1

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

Four years ago: Go Battle Night Burnout

Five years ago: Continuous Inspiration

Six years ago: Making Others (and Myself) Happy

Seven years ago: Figure Gathering, Again

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

"Bunnelby Holes" with Pokémon

They say that rabbits dig (or at least go into) holes that lead to fantastical places with a lot of things going on in there, so they are called "rabbit holes" by virtue of that. The rabbit has a few equivalents in Pokémon, one of which is the Bunnelby family; incidentally, digging holes might very much be the MO of its members, whether or not the holes might have a sort of fantasy about them. By extension, the holes would then be called "Bunnelby holes" for all the similar things that they have to offer.

As they may hold fantasies, they may be of the plentiful and exciting kind, like a hole that leads to a secret Pokémon paradise with many species and plants. The Pokémon might already be present there, or they might have followed the Bunnelby (or Diggersby as its evolved form) down the hole. Such a paradise could conceivably be enjoyed by the Pokémon or even people who come upon it, and they'd have a great time; this would be the ideal situation and a picturesque fantasy that is not out of imaginative reach.

On the other hand, those same fantasies might be overwhelming in some sort of way, and those who are exposed to them might desire to cast them off instead, at least for a temporary stretch of time. In particular, that would mean not following the Bunnelby and their kin down or into the hole or even getting out of that, the latter being a more difficult proposition. Of course, the fantasies will still be there, and if they're especially in Pokémon species form, they'll be gladly waiting to interact with those who will fancy them.

With the way that Bunnelby (or real rabbits) are and what sorts of holes they might dig or be followed into, different kinds of fantasies, both real and related to Pokémon, might just surely follow. But then, that might also be up to the ones who will do just that, and perhaps most importantly, when they might make a decision for that. The fantasies are likely to be as opportune as the Pokémon species involved with them, and that could be something that fans will look forward for their coming experiences.

So... how far down the "Bunnelby hole" will one go?

One year ago: Observing (and Playing) an Evening with TCG Friends

Two years ago: 3DS eShop Winds Down - Pokémon Games Too

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

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

Five years ago: Too Many Items from Raids?

Six years ago: This Is My House

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

Eight years ago: Pikachu Image Pillow

Quickies: What Would Professor Oak Build?

Sometimes, one may need to make do with the things that one has in order to perform specific tasks. This state of affairs might also apply even to Pokémon Professors, with all the things that they do. Every Pokémon fan will recognize Professor Oak, who can be attested to be very knowledgeable, yet is sometimes a little "janky" as well; he might be considered the perfect (and foremost) candidate for having to make (build) things out of practically nothing in order to deal with problems that occur in the area of his laboratory and beyond.

For example, it may be necessary for the professor to keep two distinct groups of opposing Pokémon separate from themselves and even himself while he deals with them for purposes of studying them. Fences and/or separate rooms may already work well for this purpose, but it's also that he will need something more for this purpose. That probably could mean building an effective form of diversion (like artistic arrangements of everyday objects) to get the Pokémon to forget about their separation and confinement, let alone about attacking each other. It's a fascinating challenge and one that the professor may have to readily tackle.

Meanwhile, it is somewhat well-known that some (of Ash's) Pokémon are quite "attached" to the professor, so he would often need to keep them in check while the professor does other activities that don't necessarily involve these Pokémon. That doesn't necessarily mean separating and distracting them as in the previous case, but it could mean having something to make sure that they keep themselves in line and still get what they need - for example, a "feeding time" activity using a Pokémon feeder along with other items that accomplishes the purpose of providing them sustenance while keeping them entertained.

The above situations might be somewhat idealized, yet they are also somewhat realistic given the demands of the activities of Professor Oak. Being a Pokémon Professor who knows a lot about the ways of Pokémon might demand him to combine that knowledge with that of other ways of life in deterministic ways. The question as posed in the title of this post then becomes a way to reflect on all of the knowledge that the professor poses while at the same time being able to express his "janky" side that works and plays well with many other Pokémon.

One year ago: The Adventures of Pikachu and Snorlax

Two years ago: Let's Go on Routes

Three years ago: The Pokémon Unite Phone-Switch Transition

Four years ago: Nostalgic "Coins" of Pokémon

Five years ago: Remote Raids and Invitations

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/3/2019

Seven years ago: Divergent Anime?

Eight years ago: A Hobbled Pikachu... 3DS XL

Dreaming of "The Chase"

For readers who know what it is I'm referencing, no, there is no involvement of the pursuit between a knowledge master and a challenger in this post. However, Pokémon may be construed to have some elements evocative of pursuits. Besides adventuring and battling, some efforts of progression in the Pokémon world might involve pursuing several things in due time, much like a scavenger hunt complete with all the dynamics that it offers. Lately, I've had a dream that may reflect this happening in real life, but still with a focus on Pokémon things and how they play out.

The dream appeared to be set in a city that is far away yet I know so well for Pokémon affairs or otherwise. In it, I had been catching up to a friend - or that friend had been catching up to me - for a Pokémon activity (most likely involving Pokémon Go) and we were at a "checkpoint" before our next target. But just as the dream was to proceed to that next target... the dream ended and I woke up. What was clear is that there was a competitive Pokémon element to what was going on, making it one of my Pokémon dreams.

I must admit that many of the details of the dream remain sketchy - even as I was trying to remember them for the purpose of writing them up here - but the point above still stands. With consideration of what happens in Pokémon, at least a bit of chasing is involved, whether it's for the Pokémon species or the items that assist them. The suggestion of familiar places and exploring other wonderful ones is a part of that package.

Adventures and battles in the Pokémon world certainly require knowledge as the above background might suggest, but pursuits such as the one that occurred within the dream I just had are not completely out of the question either. The hunt then continues for the best things a Pokémon fan or Trainer can have.

One year ago: (More on) The Funko Pop! Figures

Two years ago: Translation Issues in Café Remix?

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Repeat, 7/16/2022

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Day 2

Five years ago: Team GO Rocket's Aerial Attacks

Six years ago: The State of Nominations

Seven years ago: The Eevee Identity

Eight years ago: Only One Save File

A Tale of Some Psychic Pokémon

Somewhere in this world, there are three Pokémon of the Psychic type that used to appear just on certain days of the week at a certain time of the night, but now appears almost every day of the week. Psychic-type Pokémon (at least some of them) might be known for some odd and mischievous ways, especially as they peer into the hearts and souls of others, so they pretty much encapsulate the figures I'm referring to. And the ways that they are then and now really can be considered a "tale" as well.

One of these Pokémon is a Gallade whose words and thoughts can be as sharp as its physique - perhaps some have considered it too sharp. Another one is a Mr. Mime who came at about the same time as the Gallade, and together they were the ones who decided to appear to do that "peering" at that certain time. The third is a Gardevoir that appeared only later on but might be primed to appear in place of Gallade should the circumstances necessitate. These three become the primary movers of the tale.

For that, they "peer" by taking all that they see and presenting it to others - to Pokémon, certainly, but who knows if people could and would be present for that as well - with a little "punching up" along the way, perhaps invoking (the sound of) a Mightyena in the process. That may be a bit out of character for them, but given that it occurs in the nighttime, any other Pokémon seems welcome to join in without making things too much of a riot.

The rest of the night then would probably involve some light entertainment from other lifeforms - Pokémon or otherwise - that are present at that time, before everyone parts ways to let the night run its course before doing it again either the next night or after a break of two nights, the latter being at the end of the week. With that, the Psychic-type Pokémon let the tale run its course for the concerns of all who are interested in it.

Yes, the above might be somewhat of a stretch. Yet somewhere in the world, even at this very time, the Psychic-type Pokémon might just be gearing up to make their tale known to all.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2024 (Global), Day 2

Two years ago: The Single-Type Cup of GBL

Three years ago: Forest Bathing with Pokémon

Four years ago: Redeeming Offer Codes in Pokémon Go

Five years ago: Miss You, Brandon

Six years ago: Cosplay: COSTHNIFEST

Seven years ago: Spending on Pokémon

Eight years ago: A Pokémon Forum Persona

Pokémon Sunrises and Sunsets

The term for retiring things (as applied for the Pokémon TCGO, the previous virtual TCG platform) in a certain parlance, "sunset", is obviously derived from the natural phenomenon that is the dipping of the sun below the horizon at the end of a day. Its initial counterpart, then, is the phenomenon of sunrise, the appearance of the sun at the day's beginning. These phenomena are also a given for the world of Pokémon - being a mirror of this world - and they can then conceivably have the eponymous species attached to them.

Starting at the beginning, as is proper to be done, there is the sunrise. It's the time of day when many Pokémon species are expected to be active, like the members of the Pidgey family in gathering up food (possibly in the form of other preyed-upon species). Then, there would be appearances of other species of the Grass and Fire types - Chikorita and Fuecoco come to mind - to take advantage of the warming day, which then prompts even more species of other types to do so. Regular life is always a bustle at this time, or at least it would be a prelude to that, and it may not be all that different for Pokémon.

For the other end of the day with the sunset, it may be considered not only as the time for the winding down of the above, but also for more uncommon activity. The Wailmer family at sea might be seen spouting water from their blowholes at this time, and the Morelull family might be seen in forests to fill them with their light. The more darkness-oriented species, particularly of the Dark and Ghost types, can then use the occasion of the disappearing light to prepare for their acts of making the eventual night seem more "nightly" than it already is. In a way, there are transitions of more than one kind to be concerned with at this moment.

Regardless, transitions are the key to both of the phenomena of concern, and this seems especially more so when Pokémon becomes a second or additional concern. The phenomena are the expected changes in the day, and the people and Pokémon anticipate them for what they can and need to do in that day. And while some things "sunset" and disappear, the days go on (and on) with the two natural phenomena bookending the starts and ends of the days... hopefully with Pokémon for those who expect them.

One year ago: A Slowing Down for Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Cosplay: Harusaki no Matsuri - COSMO's 9th Anniversary

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/21/2022

Four years ago: Anime with Mixed Language Content?

Five years ago: More Virulent Impacts

Six years ago: Respect for Rica Matsumoto

Seven years ago: Throwing Poké Balls

Eight years ago: Cosplay: East and West

Dreaming of Pokémon Friends?

Friends are always important for Pokémon matters (and journeys), and I even consider it a "pillar" as such. It may also be possible that a person dreams not only about Pokémon happenings but also the friends that they relate to in those cases. It would seem to be a wonderful thing, as wonderful as the happenings themselves and especially if they occur. To that end, it too seems to be a wonderful thing to make a discussion out of it and see how this possibility may actually play out.

Recently, I in fact had such a dream. One of my Pokémon friends, whom I don't meet regularly due to being separated by a great distance, appeared in my dream and we spent a great time together along with other people. Though we also had planned on doing some activities related to Pokémon, it seemed that they didn't work out as they were intended to be. Regardless, it was a wonderful dream, and when it ended as I woke up, I felt disappointed yet relieved to have dreamed it.

The dream I had can be considered to indicate that the friend is a close friend, and in reality the friend is very much so. For Pokémon fans, having close and dependable friends like the one in my dream is almost an essential matter. I would think that some of my Pokémon fellows (who sadly have become distant) can and do dream or at the least fantasize about meetups with those in their friend "circle". Whether or not the results would be like the above dream might be anyone's guess.

Having said that, the current post about dreams happens to coincide with another one from many years ago (see below). Though that dream wasn't with a friend per se, the contents of the dream are rather similar to the recent dream and may be considered in the same vein. They may also represent aspirations for friendly relations that anyone can deserve to have... and certainly dream again and again, which might be what has happened exactly with the recent dream I had as above.

Something that some people may say about certain journeys, particularly when their ends are unexpected, is that the real journey may be the friends that are made along the way. Dreams could be considered journeys with unexpected ends, and if they involve Pokémon friends, that may be a journey that is as real as any actual one that involves them. As stated above, friends are a vital part of the Pokémon experience, and that vital quality can be evident even in the confines of a dream.

One year ago: Musical Emotion, Place, and Event

Two years ago: Going for (Real) Pokémon Cookies

Three years ago: Rotating to Objectives

Four years ago: Longing for Team Go Rocket

Five years ago: Impressions of Chef Mallow

Six years ago: Choosing Pathways

Seven years ago: And Again, I Dream

Eight years ago: We're All Tied to Pokémon

There Is a Place...

Besides paralleling each other, something that the real world and Pokémon world have in common is that they both have lots of places. Some of these places could conceivably be where people - and likely (their) Pokémon as the parallel of animals - go to in order to take refuge, to get away from it all, or to relieve feelings of unhappiness. Since I'm still in a somber mood after a certain happening, I thought I'd consider three kinds of these places, which might be inspired after certain things, and make sense of them with Pokémon.

In one of these places, I could be me and people could be themselves - in other words, it's where "you are you". There, they can battle with the Pokémon they like and/or are capable of nurturing all their qualities, which might depend on their wants and needs. They spot us there and we exchange Pokémon interactions without being restrained by who we are. It sounds like an idealized place in both worlds, but it can be realized anywhere if the people (and Pokémon) can and want to make it happen.

There can and should also be places where people can "believe in love" along with Pokémon and any other related beings. This is slightly related to the above, but it can also concern having certain fondness for other people and/or Pokémon without any negative feelings intervening. This too seems idealistic, but with love being a basic emotion for all, it can and should be able to be realized. As a certain song earlier discussed on this blog further suggests, a belief in love may be all that is needed for the world.

Lastly, there has to be places where people and Pokémon can feel protected, with no harm and/or threats of such. That would mean the people and Pokémon ought to be able to find ways to protect each other, and if the story adaptations (anime, manga, and everything in between) have anything to suggest, they all can do just that in various ways and in different places. Regardless, specific places might just enhance the sense and protection, along with the best people and Pokémon that can and will be present in all those places.

After the happenings of the other day, a person - for example, me - would want to go to one of these places and forget about them, at least momentarily. Of course, if they're fans of Pokémon, then they wouldn't want to forget about it, and they would want to have it along in those places, as close as it is to paralleling the real world and all. In the same way, both can offer the places that just might be needed for the purpose, and to know that they can and do exist would be a thing of comfort for people and Pokémon alike.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 1/6/2024

Two years ago: The Embers of a New Season

Three years ago: Pokémon Asia Bulbasaur Mug

Four years ago: No Scans for You

Five years ago: Pokémon Statues

Six years ago: ...With Gatherings and Safari Zones for All

Seven years ago: More Odd Poké-Pika Things

Eight years ago: A 3DS Story

A Pokémon Unite Dream

Most of my Pokémon dreams have a situational setting in the Pokémon world or a blending of that with the real world, and rarely are they about the games. So, when a Pokémon dream comes about that involves a game, it becomes a rarity to behold. Such was the case for a dream that I had a couple of weeks ago that involved a Pokémon game, although at the time I couldn't make a write-up on it due to the run of posts at the end (and beginning) of the year. However, I did jot down all the significant details so I could make the write-up later on, and today's a good day for that.

The game in question is of course Pokémon Unite, and while it proceeded along the lines of the game, there was a bit of strangeness as well. In the dream, I was part of an in-person team and was playing against another team in a match as such. However, the map seemed somewhat different, as in addition to battling other Pokémon, we were also being demanded to figure out a puzzle in order to access another part of the map. Specifically, we were to use certain keys to open a certain door, and we were thinking about the solution for accomplishing that goal and proceeding further.

Ultimately, that was to lead to a final battle or "showdown", much like what would happen in the "Legendary pit" with Rayquaza as is the norm in Theia Sky Ruins. Alas, the progression of the dream was not meant to be, and it ended before that resulting climax could be shown. What did happen after that was certainly me waking up and recording the details of the dream... and then actually playing the game to set my mind straight. Still, I only wish I could have seen that moment.

As for what this dream may signify, it may be that fans of the game, who play but not very intensely, and teams of players who do play intensely, can and should interface with one another and make discourse for improvement of the game, which can result in something as unique as the above. Fortunately, the game already offers a way for this in the form of a regular Feedback questionnaire that sometimes appears. It may also be a prompt for all of us to make use of this feature if and when it appears.

Dreams may have a way of indicating certain things and making them evident, and this particular dream that features a Pokémon game (here, Pokémon Unite) may have just done that. For that seems that there is more involvement to be had in the game by myself and others, possibly including the developers themselves. That might just lead up to more content and challenges in the game.

One year ago: Four on the Floor

Two years ago: Cosplay: Pokémon Festival Jakarta

Three years ago: Two and Two Together

Four years ago: A Dream with Partners

Five years ago: A Clear Vision

Six years ago: Home and Heart... and Hope

Seven years ago: Now Accepting Donations

Eight years ago: Confessions and Concessions

Quickies: Delivering Punches and Kicks

Within a short time, I'm going to have to be delivering my best at something important - not related to Pokémon, but it might very well open the doors for other Pokémon ventures. That said, the process of delivery might involve throwing some kicks and punches just like some martial arts athletes... or the Pokémon that resemble them in their forms and capacity. With that, I thought about discussing about these punches and kicks, their delivery or throw, and how they all pertain to the current situation that I briefly mentioned above.

Many moves that Pokémon can use do indicate that they're punching and kicking moves by virtue of them having the word in their moves, and they're delivered as such, with modification by other words that the moves might have (as with Mega Punch, Blaze Kick, and so on). Yet even in and with that sense, they are literal punches and kicks, and they're the moves that strike as they need to strike. The Pokémon that use them may also be of the literal (humanoid) sort, though their appearances have no bearing on their capacity for these moves.

Other moves, meanwhile, are less literally indicative of kicking or punching, but they could still be delivered in much the same manner. In this category, Aura Sphere (as a "punch") comes to mind as delivered by arguably its most famous user Lucario, though as delivered by Togekiss, it might still be indicative of that, even if just a little. Then there's the recent Triple Axel move, a "kick" delivered by a figure skating technique regardless of whoever executes the move. It may not take too much perceptive interpretation to consider these "punches" and "kicks".

It won't be long now before I'm going to start to make that delivery that's likely going to involve a bit of punching and kicking - albeit in less literal forms - but just thinking about punching and kicking as it applies to Pokémon species and the related moves that they use seems to give me a general idea of what to do with that delivery of mine. That said, it seems that other Pokémon species will continue to be delivering punches and kicks in our own, individual styles in whatever situations or battles we might be involved in.

One year ago: Cosplay: CHoCoDays 2023 - 10th Anniversary

Two years ago: Café Remix: Pay to Win?

Three years ago: 2021 Pokémon Center Merchandise Highlights

Four years ago: Playing Pokémon on the Quick

Five years ago: December for Love

Six years ago: Quick Ball Tin and Pokémon Coin

Seven years ago: Perspective

Creatures of the Sea

I've been looking over my old posts, and I noticed I've made a post on land creatures, but I don't have one on the watery counterpart of the sea, aside from making a mention at the start of the other post. As such, I've decided to make a post on the topic in more or less the same style, just to set things right.

So, the sea, like the land, is a venue of life - although the life there is very much different, even almost "alien", compared to the ones on land. Being the lifelike creatures they are, Pokémon species also inhabit this venue of life, though as expected, they themselves are different and do things differently from their counterparts on land. All the same, they're very much able to thrive in this venue and do so in amazing ways to fulfill the purposes of life, whether of themselves or of others. 

Likewise, it is possible to consider two Pokémon species that embody the sea, both accurately by relevance and literally by size. One of these is certainly the great maker and dweller of the sea, Kyogre, whose capacity of bringing down rains is of great reverence by certain groups of people. Then there's Wailord as one of the largest Pokémon out there, certainly in its environment. It's a practical wonder for it to exist and thrive there, especially with it as the evolution of the more playful and spherical Wailmer. Both of these take up space in the sea, and they're also representative of what the sea is able to beget.

Previously, I had discussed the sea itself, particularly in regard to a different phenomenon; the key point was the sea as the bringer and giver of life, implying a sense of mutual benefit. With this consideration, there is the sense that species like the Binacle family and Corsola can serve as anchors for all other species in the sea, including what could be considered the most vivacious, as the Magikarp family. Life spirit is arguably important, for these sea creatures and more, as is how that translates to their land brethren and then goes back to the sea in a cycle that is wonderful in description and effect.

With its voluminous nature (including for certain life forms within it) and the possibilities of life energy carried in it, the sea definitely has a life-sustaining role for real creatures and of course the ones in the Pokémon world. The latter being what they are might seem strange to land-dwellers like people, but then so are many real creatures within the same space. Most importantly, they remain valuable in keeping life and life energy flowing - literally, given the medium - in lore and reality, and that's as fascinating as it is essential.

One year ago: More NPCs in Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Quickies: Snorlax on the Road

Three years ago: My Current Pokémon Unite Role Preferences

Four years ago: Popular Poké-Shipping

Five years ago: Pieces of a Pokémon Life

Six years ago: Cosplay: IJF - Cosplayer Rising Star

Seven years ago: (Un)finished Business

The World According to Ursaring

As I've mentioned a real long time ago, I enjoy delving into (portions of) my past for pure enjoyment as well as the simple reason of not forgetting them, as roots that contribute to my Pokémon-filled present. This applies even for some sentimental things that I've chosen to detach - or more appropriately, had to detach from - because of them being associated with areas that I do not wish to explore. In pure isolation, though, they might be worth exploring, and one such thing that I've recently delved into is something that encapsulates the world... for which in Pokémon terms, that would be (partly) through the view of an Ursaring.

For those who know what I'm referencing, the choice of representation by Ursaring might be an odd one, but it is known that even Pokémon with a gruff countenance (Ursaring included) might have a pure and kind heart, and that is exactly what the Ursaring I'm thinking of has. The Ursaring tells things like they are and presents things in ways that make one think to make the best sense of the situations involved. It's a novel thing to do for an Ursaring - at least compared to others of the same species.

That Ursaring is also technically not alone, as other Pokémon are there to make sense of all their world. By practical species correspondence alone, as with Ursaring, there could be a Pikachu, two Oshawott (perhaps one of which is Shiny), a Chimchar, and a Teddiursa living with and around the Ursaring. Then, there is a Solrock that greets as a new day begins and a Lunatone that does the same as a day comes to a close, both of which also prompt the deep exchange of thoughts. There might be others too, but that's for their wider world.

With all of these Pokémon, they seem to always have many things to take into account in their lives, and they do. Again, it's the Ursaring that guides everyone, especially when there's a sort of stagnation in things. The result of that guiding is likely to be just what everyone needs in their situations. And at the end of the day, there is something to be taken; after that, everything starts all over again for Ursaring and crew.

It seems funny how some things can be made to have a Pokémon correspondence, but that's my point of view at work. That could be considered the case for the sentimental thing I've been referencing for and throughout this post, and it carries a feeling that remains even if the thing has to be detached from me for certain reasons. Perhaps that's what it would take right now: an Ursaring to make sense of my greater and Pokémon world.

One year ago: Pokémon Monuments of Our Hearts

Two years ago: Preparing for Scarlet and Violet

Three years ago: Pokémon Cafe Delights

Four years ago: Cosplay: The Bros Contest

Five years ago: Sword and Shield Unleashed

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

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

Old-Time Watcher's Dream

Sometimes, it takes a long time after a Pokémon dream before another one comes to my sleep. Other times, it might come much sooner than expected. In this case, it was only about one and a half weeks ago that a Pokémon dream came to my mind during my sleep, and I've just managed to have another one come into my mind. When I awoke, I thought it was insignificant and that I could ignore it, but a second thought leads me to think it has at least some significance. As such, I ended up gathering my thoughts on it so that certainly, I could write about it in a post on this blog.

The dream involved watching the old Pokémon anime series - the one that takes place in Kanto, certainly, and the one that details the first advances (and stumbles) of Ash, who is now familiar to just about any Pokémon fan. Moreover, it apparently was situated in an old house of mine - the "previous previous" house that I lived in, which I also referred in a post around five years ago, meaning the memory of it is still lingering in my mind even many, many years after the fact (of its disappearance, no less).

What made the dream somewhat surreal, as some dreams typically in certain ways, is that as I was watching, the experience was interrupted by certain events, whether of my own doing or others' doing. In particular, there was a certain appearance by an "unsavory" figure (at least, considered as such in recent times) that spoiled the experience - not the story of the anime itself, but more on what I was doing while I was watching. As thus, it wasn't the best experience I could have while watching the anime.

Perhaps the appearance of the old anime series wasn't without reason. That appearance might have something to do with that series actually being currently shown - particularly for viewers who may be in the general area of where I currently am now. That also means that there is a sense that I want and need to be dealing with this present matter, maybe even so that I can write a blog post on it.

Having only dreamt a Pokémon dream only fairly recently, this one can be considered to be "hot on the heels" of that previous dream. The subject of the dream also seems to be a "hot" one in a way that I may be needing to warm up to as soon as possible for all my Pokémon dealings - and that's certainly before this or some other Pokémon things grow cold on me, which is always a possibility.

One year ago: Mission Bingo in Café Remix

Two years ago: A New Set of Pokémon Dolls

Three years ago: My Qualms in Taking On Ranked Matches

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/17/2020

Five years ago: Wallpaper: Pokésoft Mix

Six years ago: The First Sinnoh Saga Japanese Opening Theme

Seven years ago: Pokémon and Trains

Quickies: Color Neighborhoods, Pokémon Style

A long time ago, I had hinted that a certain place in my "Pokémon" town could have been influenced by the presence of Smeargle. And that's for a good reason: the place - or more appropriately, places - could be described as "color neighborhoods" because they're places that exhibit and exemplify certain colors, the likes of which may just be painted by the Smeargle present therein. That leads me to wonder about how these "color neighborhoods" might just be manifested (further) in Pokémon style.

One of the neighborhoods is actually of a single color, which some Smeargle might be interested in, changing the color of the paint on their tails to suit. More likely, though, they'd be more pleased to be present in the other neighborhood, which is of multiple colors; there, they'd cycle through all the colors as they paint the neighborhood. While they might possibly romp around painting houses and things every which way, it's also quite possible that they will possess the restraint to paint things as dictated by the people living there.

Meanwhile, if these "color neighborhoods" could actually exist in the Pokémon world, it is likely that they'd involve other Pokémon besides Smeargle. That single-color neighborhood I mentioned, as an example, might have the Bronzor family present about the place, lending its color to the neighborhood. As a more remote possibility, a golden yellow neighborhood could have the members of the Gimmighoul species family lending their characteristic color to the place, obviously being more hospitable with their coins.

The concept of "color neighborhoods" is an interesting one, especially as implemented in the real-life places of my "Pokémon" town. While the concept was manifested through paint and thereby could be realized through the presence of Smeargle, there is the potential to open up the concept through the presence of other Pokémon contributing their colors to the places to represent the neighborhood as intended. It's rather fanciful to think about this in terms of Pokémon, but that's something that I (and possibly other fans) could only desire.

One year ago: Kecleon Role Wonders

Two years ago: Pokémon Mascots for Existing Sports Teams

Three years ago: The Music of Unite

Four years ago: How Simple Is Pokémon Really?

Five years ago: Illusions of Success?

Six years ago: People-Adventure or Pokémon-Adventure?

Seven years ago: Kanto Starter Keychains

Two Festival and Pokémon Dreams

In more recent times, my dreams tend to have been concentrated within a span of a couple of hours, so things tend to happen (relatively) quickly within that span of time. Also most times recently, Pokémon wasn't somehow involved, and thus I tend to let most of those dreams slip. However, two of those most recent dreams did involve Pokémon and left somewhat of an impression. As such, I couldn't let them slip - in fact, I had to remember them so I can share them here on this blog, which becomes the purpose of this post.

One of those dreams apparently involved a band audition, with me as one of the members of the band - certainly being on vocals. Remarkably (or not surprisingly), we used "Mezase Pokémon Master" as our audition song, which becomes the aspect that ties this to Pokémon. Even so, the audition seemed to be affected by certain "shenanigans": we had decided that the music (and thereby my singing) would be varied in some ways - which may or may not have worked out to our advantage - and the other band members were seemingly "acting up" during our audition performance. The results of the audition are not for me to determine, as indeed I woke up after the performance ended, but there may be a few considerations for me when I perform again with a band.

The other dream involved a festival - actually, two festivals in fact - and both of them took place on the same day. Apparently, I had been intending to go to one of them, and not to the other one, but I ended up going to both of them anyway. As for how these relate to Pokémon, there also seemed to be an intervening matter related to Pokémon Go, and even one or both of the festivals contained elements related to Pokémon Go; admittedly, these were already sketchy as I dreamed about them, and became even more sketchy as I woke up from the dream and attempted to note down their most significant details. Only these were left, but I was assured that Pokémon was somehow involved.

As is evident through all my posts on them, I use festivals (and therefore by direct extension, conventions) to promote my interest in Pokémon through all the various activities I can do there, whether cosplay, singing, games, and so on and so forth. Their appearance in my dreams is thus a given possibility, for which the above dreams realize. Now, dreams often have meanings - at least interpretative ones - and if there could be a meaning to be extracted from these, it may be that I have to synchronize my dealings with Pokémon (Go) and my continued attendance to these festivals, which may not always be easy.

Somehow, I'll still be attending festivals (and conventions), even if circumstances and my needs may dictate otherwise. But what seems to be important to me as a Pokémon fan is the way I can bring this out within them, as what I like and enjoy. In that respect, these dreams seem to be meant to occur - even as quickly as they do transpire - perhaps to provoke me to think about them with Pokémon in hand.

One year ago: The Happy Bonus in Café Remix

Two years ago: Filling a Trainer's Home with Pokémon

Three years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Master League Classic

Four years ago: Let's Talk About Phones and Gadgetry

Five years ago: Livestream and Let Livestream

Six years ago: Cosplay: SJF - Tomodachi 3

Seven years ago: Iron Trainers?

Like Magnemite to Electricity

As I might have mentioned in a number of posts, I'm a night owl of sorts and enjoy doing things in the wee hours of the day, sometimes with minimal lighting - at least, just enough so that I can see comfortably. A Pokémon that might enjoy such settings is Magnemite, which might find favor with the low lighting, and perhaps more importantly, the soft electricity emitted by the light that also makes it glow.

It is known that Magnemite sustains itself on this soft electricity, becoming a meal source for it. It's a unique Pokémon in that regard, being one that survives on inorganic sources of energy rather than organic ones. And it's obvious, really, since it has no traditional body parts and what body parts there are conduct electricity, becoming an extension of its life force for making use of electricity to survive.

The story of Francois, the Magnemite companion of Ren (one of Professor Cerise's assistants) from the World saga, should illustrate this well. Incidentally, Ren may be known for "burning the midnight oil" at times, given the assistant role as above. Ren is attached to his Magnemite as the Magnemite is attached to what makes it tick - the electricity that it consumes and may discharge as part of its Pokémon role.

Meanwhile, I'm likely to continue becoming a night owl and do things even in situations with minimal lighting. In those situations, a Magnemite might be happy to join in to feed on soft electricity, and I could be pleased - even enough to have one as a companion just like Ren and Francois. It will sustain itself as I might try to sustain myself, and that ought to make us have something in common.

One year ago: Character Limits in Pokémon Games

Two years ago: New Strides with the Daily Adventure Incense

Three years ago: Further Remixes of GBL Leagues?

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/27/2020

Five years ago: A Time for Everything

Six years ago: Online Pokémon Newsletters

Seven years ago: Sprites, Models, and Evolutions

The People I Meet in My Pokémon Dreams

Recently, I've had another Pokémon dream, but it was so disjointed that I wasn't able to remember much of it by the time I woke up - and moreover, I had to hurry to something when I did. One important part of it that I do remember, and still do at this point, is meeting a person in the progression of the dream. It's such an important point that I've decided to expand it into a full-fledged discussion, considering not only that dream but also other, previous dreams, of which many are on this blog. The discussion then centers on people of different kinds, the ones I meet in my Pokémon dreams.

The person whom I met in that dream happens to be one of my good friends who also plays Pokémon Go, and as such, friends are one kind of people whom I encounter in Pokémon dreams. They're obviously instrumental in supporting me in my Pokémon efforts as I am in supporting theirs; though in the dreams these efforts may not be as clarified as they should be, there's a sense that they still are, whether or not I sense that as the dreams come into my mind. That may just serve as the driver for any Pokémon effort I undertake when I wake up.

Sometimes, in my dreams, I see characters from the wider Pokémon universe, and even I may become a character myself; they are regardless another kind of people I meet. Even if they're not exactly me - or in a strict(ly more figurative) sense, it's me cosplaying as them - my encounters with them in my dreams may just serve as the important dynamic in those dreams, and that may allow the dream to persist for some time before I wake up. When I do, that might also add to my impetus to cosplay them - or at least plan for that purpose.

Perhaps the people I encounter the least - in other words, very rarely - in my dreams are those with a very high status in relation to Pokémon, like those from The Pokémon Company or celebrities connected to Pokémon (Rica Matsumoto would be one of them). If they do appear, it would seemingly be with a "cameo" status; yet it still seems to be enough to classify that as being able to meet them in my dreams.

Many people can evidently be present even in my Pokémon dreams, providing me with a chance to meet them, whether directly or indirectly. Whatever happens in those dreams, by meeting the people, they are effectively contributing to support my Pokémon experiences as well, at least if only within my sleep. Once I wake up, though, the support may just manifest in a different way - maybe even the best way.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 7/9/2023

Two years ago: On Defining Fans by What They Do

Three years ago: Twilight Wings Addendum

Four years ago: Pokémon Primer?

Five years ago: Picking Battles

Six years ago: Cosplay Cards

Seven years ago: Ghosty and Me

Saving (Preserving) Pokémon Locations

In thinking about the setting and inspiration of the fifth Pokémon feature film or movie by its Japanese ending theme, I'm reminded that the latter is a real-life place that is facing a huge problem: it's sinking by subsidence and the encroaching sea. Yet it's a place that needs to be saved or preserved for all its beauty and history. That leads me to consider how to do the same for certain places in the Pokémon world that are facing the similar problem of being threatened to be lost.

Supposing that the first place mentioned above (Alto Mare) also faces the same threat, the solution would probably be not that much different - keep the sea out and the buildings erect, by technology or otherwise. Of course, this is Pokémon after all, so it is possible that the species and/or their byproducts would be involved in the solution, for example a marine habitat for Corsola nearby. Ultimately, there are also the guardian(s) of the city... but that's a solution for a different resolution.

Then, there are places like the desert in Unova that is a band surrounded by two developed areas. While the desert itself is a band that keeps the developed areas from merging into each other, the challenge may just be the opposite: keeping the developed areas from merging into the desert. Though the desert itself may just be the incentive to not encroach upon it, some might think about doing so to make use of the resources on the fringe, which then my pose problems when more try to do the same.

Yet, a certain place like Cinnabar Island (and its town) may prove difficult if not impossible to preserve. It is known for being situated next to a volcano, for which the effects of an eruption can be seen clearly in a later iteration of the place with only the Pokémon Center as the only surviving structure. In that case, the Pokémon Center might as well have to act as the place that preserves the (memory of the) place as it was, and to make sure things stay that way even if the island doesn't.

As it is often mentioned and observed, the Pokémon world is one that is adjacent to the real world in terms of conditions, for the people, the species, and the environment. That means the issue of preservation is also adjacent to these elements and one that deserves at least some consideration. While the issue might not make itself evident for any of the places mentioned above - and a few others that I didn't bring up - at least some thoughts may be given to the issue and how that might work out for the places.

One year ago: The Flurry of Unite Team Creation

Two years ago: Say You Love Me (Not)

Three years ago: Earthing with Pokémon

Four years ago: Taking Pictures of Pokémon

Five years ago: LINE Pokémon Emoji

Six years ago: The Super Incubator

Seven years ago: The Badge Arcade Hit Its Limits

Quickies: Smells Like Pokémon

I'm exposed to all kinds of smells each and every day. Some of them are pleasant and can be smelled for hours on end, while others are (bordering on) offensive and less deserving of that honor, even becoming set aside after a short time. Pokémon, as expected by its adjacency to the real world, can have similar smells, in particular for the species that bear the name. Because I've been thinking about some of these smells, I'm directed to make a post on that, in particular to fill a bit of time due to ongoing happenings.

Previously, I've explored some species twice over that have their own pleasant smells, and they certainly still apply within the context of this post. But then, it's also still plausible that some Pokémon of the Fairy type can have their own brand of pleasant smells; otherwise, they wouldn't be very attractive indeed. Even for some people, the briny smell of creatures from the ocean could be expected to be its own pleasing smell, and this also fits some Pokémon species. Then, it might just be possible for some Pokémon of the Rock and/or Ground type to possess "earthy" smells that are still pleasant, further increasing the possibilities.

The ones with offensive smells are unfortunately just as numerous. It has been attested that species of the Poison type definitely reek of certain smells that are universally agreed as offensive. It may also be possible for species of the Steel type to leave behind residues of their metal bodies, which some people could find offensive. On the other end of the spectrum, even Pokémon of the Grass (as well as some with the Bug type) could potentially exude foul smells, in particular when they are disturbed. This last bit also seems the key to most species in this category, as they might be less offensive if they are not disturbed.

Any nice smell is likely to be allowed to pervade and any not-so-nice smell is likely to be covered up. The same would likely apply to some Pokémon who might be responsible for these smells. Even so, some smells still catch on the wind no matter what happens - this being also true in my real case - and they become an inescapable part of the world. So too is what applies for Pokémon for its fans and people in that world, and both can expect certain smells in the air every which way they go.

One year ago: Tournament: SWEEP JR vs. Icy Wind (SA Factions)

Two years ago: Yoshinoya ID Pokémon Promo

Three years ago: The Floating City Awaits

Four years ago: As In As All...

Five years ago: Nationally Challenged

Six years ago: Before Gold and Silver

Seven years ago: Red on a Bike

A Pokémon Performance Dream

I've actually had a few Pokémon dreams in recent times, but I had thought they were insignificant, or if they were close to significant, they were so fleeting that I basically forgot just a few moments after I wake up. So when I had a significant Pokémon dream just a day ago, I set out to record its details as best as I can after waking up to present it in a post - and the result would be this one.

For the dream, it was about a Pokémon performance - or rather, two of them -similar to the ones that would or could be shown at PFJ or the previous PIJ editions. These ones, however, seemed to take place at a convention more typically for Japanese pop culture, although it could seem to fit right in since Pokémon is from Japan. Nonetheless, it did seem a little vague, and this can be taken in different ways.

One of the performances - perhaps as expected with the above concepts - had Pikachu up on stage, and certainly multiple ones. The performance was distinctly tied to music, and certainly involved Pikachu dancing somehow. The one I saw in my dream, though, was a little less polished, perhaps serving as a "practice" act for the true performance to be performed later, with this one made public so that people can still enjoy it early.

Then, the second performance was a "variety" performance, involving not only Pikachu but also other Pokémon. In addition to Pikachu, I saw Wingull, Chansey, and Pichu, all of them being species that are rarely performed on stage; in fact, Wingull was actually hazy and it could have been Pelipper instead or even the now rather common Quaxly due to the current promotion of the ninth generation. They still stuck out and fascinated.

Strangely enough, during both of these performances, there were also "distractions" and "attractions". The latter was realized as the Pokémon on stage delivered their performance, even "interacting" with the audience. The former was manifested by some people in the audience as well as things around the area of the performance itself - a given, as would be expected for something like an exhibition or convention. 

Any of my Pokémon dreams is still fascinating to me, provided of course that I can remember its details sufficiently so I can then write about them, here or even elsewhere. I had to jump on this chance to remember this dream so I can present it to others, and that may require a significant effort, perhaps as much as the dream itself. With the Pokémon performance as presented above, the fascination still continues, in a way.

One year ago: Notes on Development Notes

Two years ago: Prankster Possibilities

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 6/6/2021

Four years ago: Repetition for Reputation

Five years ago: Be with You, Always with You

Six years ago: (The Least) Local Ex-Raid, 6/6/2018

Seven years ago: Pokémon Direct, 6/6/2017