Becoming a "Child of..." with Pokémon

A certain divination in an obscure place determines the kind of personality that a person has according to three elements - or they may also be considered types as well - establishing them as "children" of those aspects. Pokémon fans certainly recognize that the world has more than three types, more precisely six times as many. To that effect, it seems interesting to try to align the perspectives of these elements and flesh out the natures of each other accordingly.

One of the "children" is the "child of fire", which obviously would correspond to the Fire type in Pokémon. Those having this particular aspect may be described as having personalities that are brash and wild - and so too are many Pokémon of this type. Yet that may also be true for those of the Electric and Rock types, which in the real world are also precursors to fires; that would make them supporting types to personalities having this specific aspect.

Then, there is the "child of wind"; it has a practical equivalence to the Flying type in Pokémon. The personality of this particular aspect is described as being neutral - not too wild but also not too calm. The same would also go for Pokémon of the stated type as well as the Normal and Ground types, which may exhibit or be emblematic of such a personality despite being less in the air. At least, the wind may still guide all of them to where they need to be.

Finally, there is the "child of water", another one with an obvious correspondence (the Water type). This particular aspect has a personality that is noted as calm and collected, much like streams of the representative object. Pokémon of the Grass and Bug types can also join in that regard with respect to what they can do and their demeanor - at least most of the time. They all have that life spirit that represents their respective substances within them.

In fact, going by the further divination of that obscure place, everyone has a life spirit as well, and that life spirit is made evident and maintained by that place. I (and perhaps other fans of Pokémon) would like to think that the eponymous species can be made to fit in somehow, and those of the types above - both the main and supporting ones - can show their true life spirit if they were divined as "children" in that obscure place and regardless in the Pokémon world.

One year ago: The Charjabug Scuffle in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: Two Festival and Pokémon Dreams

Three years ago: The Happy Bonus in Café Remix

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

Five years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Master League Classic

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

Seven years ago: Livestream and Let Livestream

Eight years ago: Cosplay: SJF - Tomodachi 3

Nine years ago: Iron Trainers?

Common Things Seen in My Other Pokémon Dreams

I've written about my Pokémon dreams from time to time on this blog, at least when they happen and I'm fortunate enough to (have a way to) remember them - and most aren't. That seems to be the case for some of my most recent dreams as well as others from the past. Yet while the dreams are lost to time by now, I can still identify a few things that are apparent features of those dreams along with their relation to Pokémon, though the things themselves may not necessarily be related to Pokémon.

Since I'm a Pokémon cosplayer, it would be conceivable that sometimes a stage would appear in some of those dreams. That stage would obviously be where I'd be performing with my Pokémon cosplay - which more often than not would involve Ash - whether as part of a competition, or if I'm lucky, with a group performing together. Admittedly, the latter has been a rarity in real life, and the same goes for its appearance in my dreams - but they do appear, and so it has to be included in this discussion.

Then, bicycles also make an occasional appearance. I've noted in the past that I enjoy two-wheeled vehicles to some capacity, and Pokémon has those in some form. Naturally, in some of my dreams, they come together, additionally with the Trainers who are known to have used them (Red comes to mind in this case). They make for nice dreams, but at some point I have to be aware that the dream is just a dream, lest other fantasies "take over" and that's when I start a digress from Pokémon, not for discussion here.

Most simply, sometimes a table may appear in my Pokémon dreams. Tables are important in some instances of Pokémon gaming (TCG, obviously), and as such, they've occasionally made an appearance where Pokémon games have been a concern in my dreams. Of course, tables can and do serve as a feature for where people meet, and that becomes the context in my Pokémon dreams when gaming didn't become a concern. Whatever the case, both contexts involve me relating to other people and Pokémon.

A dream can be described as an amalgam of thoughts and experiences that occur while the mind is at rest. For someone whose mind may constantly involve Pokémon matters, that means it can become involved in dreams if the mind lets it, and that is a given fact with all the Pokémon dreams I've had. And if those dreams happen to involve particular things appearing within them, like the things above, they might just be telling of how I regard Pokémon and how different things apply to all my dealings with it.

One year ago: The Problem of Scalpers and Pokémon

Two years ago: More Waypoint Usage in Pokémon Go?

Three years ago: Cosplay: Helloweebs on the Road & TM Town Festival

Four years ago: Best Times for Community Day across Times and Places

Five years ago: (Un)finished Business, Again

Six years ago: Progressing Through the Go Battle League

Seven years ago: At a Starry Night Time

Eight years ago: Approaching Field Research Tasks

Nine years ago: Restarting Go Fever Among Players

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.

One year ago: The Set Shop in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: High-Score Skip in Café Remix

Three years ago: Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu Mini Gathering

Four years ago: Quickies: Building with the "Builder Trio"

Five years ago: Wallpaper: Journeys Gap Ad

Six years ago: Multilingual Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Gym Tours

Eight years ago: (A Further) Local Ex-Raid, 9/10/2018

Nine years ago: Cosplay: BJF - Shizen ni Modoru

Quickies: The Land of Miltank and Combee

There are many ways to express places that could be considered as a "paradise". One of those ways is by describing what such a fitting place might contain, like in the popular expression of "the land of milk and honey" - which I won't go into the origins of, but for those who know, well... they know. And for me, what I know is that such a description can have some Pokémon correspondence, so I thought about taking that description and bringing it into Pokémon - more specifically, using Pokémon terms within and for the description.

Certainly, the title of this post would be the fitting correspondence for that expression, if the Pokémon species themselves are considered and not their related substances - more on this shortly. That would mean they can exist in any place that fits them, perhaps the regions of either Johto or Sinnoh, as the regions where each respective species hails from. There may or may not be hard evidence of both of these coexisting together in the same region, but them coexisting in their respective region's games may be sufficient to consider them "paradise".

Meanwhile, those related substances would be the Moomoo Milk and Honey, which could be considered a bit awkward to say (as in, "rolling off the tongue") and "not uniquely Pokémon enough", plus there might be a couple of "relational problems" in its structure. So, "Miltank and Combee" still seems the best way of expressing the expression, showing the Pokémon influence in it, and most certainly evoking the "paradise" theme. Like the real substances they relate to, there is the sense that they might just be consumed in that place.

Paradise can be hard to find, especially with the state of the world nowadays. In fact, it seems much easier to find it in writing or speaking, like with the use of the expression that I initially mentioned in this post, than it is to find it actually manifested. For Pokémon fans like me, though, they might just have a way of interpreting that expression within a context that is very much related to its world, and that context would involve the two species as mentioned, along with their substances that still maintain ties to the original expression and conception.

One year ago: Isyana and the World of Pokémon

Two years ago: Mountains of Faith: Mt. Silver

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/13/2023

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

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

Six years ago: Get Sporty for Sports, Pokémon Style

Seven years ago: The Changing of Boxes

Eight years ago: Toy Block Pokémon?

Nine years ago: Cosplay Briefings

A Frozen Ice Land and Its Creatures

As I'd mentioned in a recent imaginative write-up about five likely-to-be Pokémon as creatures on a wild island setting, that follows up or constitutes a "sequel" of a previous post in the same manner. I also said that the previous post might be "missing" or could use one more element that also applies to what the post was referencing. Now I'd like to add that "missing" or extra element through a write-up of its own, yet certainly in the same style as that previous write-up and bringing up what appropriately applies.

Like before, a place pertains to the discussion as the setting. By the title, that place is a land - more appropriately, an island on a sea - that could be described as being in a kind of "eternal winter". Subsequently, the place can be considered very much frozen in climate and perhaps slightly with regard to time as well, especially for what might take place on the island. The climate can also be a bit harsh in the place due to the "winter" element, but it can also be quite hospitable, especially for its possible creatures.  

It cannot be doubted that Pokémon of the Ice type can and would make themselves at home here, an example being Jynx as well as the Galarian form of Mr. Mime. Strangely enough, some creatures are present in the water, but they're not of the Ice type: they'd be of the Electric type, which would be in the form of Chinchou and Lanturn as one species family. As the place lights up in the night by auroras of uncertain origin, they too can also make their own way of making the night light up for the resident Ice-types.

The place is perhaps the strangest compared to the previous six, and now as a group of seven that can be identified by certain creatures as the possible Pokémon species that may persist within those places. Yet for those who have recollection of those places, they might not seem that strange at all... just perhaps a little mysterious - or a lot in some cases. Coupling that with the wonders of Pokémon species, there is something to be said about them persisting in and out of the imagination of those linked to them.

One year ago: Collecting Stars in Café Remix

Two years ago: Cosplay: (Program) Japanese Culture

Three years ago: The Prize Machine in Pokémon Unite

Four years ago: The Shining Moment: Pokémon Presents, 8/3/2022

Five years ago: Countermeasures for Pokémon Go: Madness in Madness

Six years ago: Countermeasures for Pokémon Go: What's In, What's Out

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru SX

Eight years ago: (A New) Local Ex-Raid, 8/4/2018

Nine years ago: Pokémon on My Bed

A Pokémon Scooter Dream

As I've mentioned time and time again, dreams are fleeting, whether they're mine or others' as well as whether they're related to Pokémon or not. Accordingly, many of them tend to just drift away as soon as they end, unless I'm fortunate to record their details immediately. However, some days ago, I had a Pokémon dream that was much less fleeting than most other dreams I've had, and I could recall most of its details even now just by thinking about the core aspect of the dream. Now I'd like to preserve it in greater detail with a post here.

Certainly, the core aspect that appeared in the dream was a scooter. It was not an ordinary scooter, though; when a special module was equipped, it could play Pokémon music - in particular, the soundtrack to the first-generation games. From a technical standpoint, perhaps it could also play other kinds of music with other modules, but for this particular dream, the detail of the Pokémon music module became the aspect that stuck out and made it what it is.

In the dream, I was also using the scooter to get around places I rarely get to and even times I wouldn't even think I would do that in, being early to mid-evening. And this happened while the Pokémon music was still playing, which became a nice touch to the dream. Of course, all dreams also end, and this happened as I was approaching one of my intended destinations while riding the scooter. After that, it became a matter of remembering it, which came easily.

This dream can be said to highlight the lasting effect of Pokémon music for a Pokémon fan like me. It can make things lively even if the situation is out of the ordinary, in this case a scooter that allows it to be played... and I don't even ride one in real life, at least not by myself. Yet no matter how oddball things seem, the Pokémon aspect seems to make it make sense somehow as well as pleasant to be enjoyed within the context of this particular and quite realistic dream.

Even now as the dream has passed many days ago and I'm writing up this post, I still feel a sense of being attached to the dream and would be pleased if it somehow could be realized. In that way, it's a Pokémon dream that is truly lasting and not as fleeting, and it may just be quite fascinating for other Pokémon fans, who can now share the dream.

One year ago: Under a Cloudy Sky

Two years ago: Crossover Holowear?

Three years ago: Cosplay: Anime Cosupure (Cosplay) Matsuri

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/29/2022

Five years ago: P25 Music for Life?

Six years ago: The Values of Posts

Seven years ago: By Words, By Sound, By Video

Eight years ago: First Anniversary of My Raid Group

Nine years ago: Under 100 Hours?

Five Creatures on a Torn Island

Just a few years ago, I wrote up a fairly imaginative post about six places that can correspond with six Pokémon types - although now that I think about it, I could have made it seven and seven, but I won't discuss that now. What I will discuss, however, is a follow-up or "sequel" to that post, since the six (plus one) places also do follow up to a sequel in a manner of speaking. It'll still have the Pokémon relation, but also in a different manner: this time I'm not bringing up specific types, but definite species instead along with the setting.

That setting, as predictable by the title, is a torn island that suffers from degradation by the environment, although in a way, there is also some human influence in that degradation. It sounds like a harsh and unforgiving environment, but both Pokémon species and their real-life counterparts (animal species) have been known to survive in settings one would not expect life to be able to persist. Of course, sometimes there may be such a thing as "too harsh", and some of these species may just fit the bill to be "saved" - more on that shortly.

Now, the five creatures - in a certain order - correspond to the Pokémon species of Mantine, Heracross, Politoed, Lapras, and Wailord, perhaps quite roughly in both scale and appearance. All of them make their marks on the environment as well as people (yes, there are people too) who deal with them in their everyday life. Still, it has to be said that they might be on the darker side of things in this environment, but that's not to say that there are people who revere them for all the good that they bring.

Back to the "saving" part, it would certainly take some effort to save a few of the mentioned species above that exist in this setting, particularly given that the commonly recognized (or even archetypal) forms of the above are pretty big to begin with, especially Wailord. They would also have the potential to become "regional forms" given their environment, much like what has happened in other Pokémon regions. Yet when Pokémon is brought up as a topic, perhaps there are not many things that a Poké Ball can't fix.

Many of the places I've mentioned (and far more beyond - which might be able to serve further "sequels" of this and the previous post) in fact have odd and intense characteristics that make them unique. That would certainly apply to many Pokémon species as well with their own odd and intense characteristics. Then, if they match, or at least if the species profiles match as in the above case, it makes for a pretty neat imagery of how Pokémon might just be able to relate to these places and others beyond them.

One year ago: Odd Pokémon Items from Conventions

Two years ago: Building Worlds to Live In

Three years ago: Quickies: Off (and On) the Beaten Path

Four years ago: Performance Critique: SUCOFEST 2022 J-Song

Five years ago: Basic Buddy Photo Tricks in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2020, Day 2

Seven years ago: Mobile "Invasion"?

Eight years ago: Two New Pokémon Center Merchandise Lines

Nine years ago: Supporting Doujin and Indie Stuff

A Tale of Some Psychic Pokémon, Part 2

I'm still in the mood to bring back a discussion topic from the past year, so now I've chosen this one. At that time, I brought up some Pokémon of the Psychic type and a "tale" involving them. Well, that tale has continued to the present day, although with a few twists and turns along the way. It's still a neat "tale" to be told in Pokémon terms, so given that it has come to my recollection, I have to tell (or retell) its continuance.

Now, those Pokémon (Gallade, Mr. Mime, and Gardevoir) are still around, but not as frequently as they used to be, becoming only once a week now. For some time, even only Mr. Mime was present, and the Gardevoir was of different ones - meaning, not the same individual. It made for a different "peering" experience with them in their own ways, especially with the more "errant" Mr. Mime - until the Gallade came back.

Speaking of "peering", there is still the process of taking things and punching them up, along with adding the sound of a Mightyena, but things certainly now have changed. For example, there is a greater emphasis on things that apply as a "general interest", ones that other Pokémon will certainly be able to relate to. Beyond that, they'll have to work with both and old new constraints in all the "peering" they do.

For all that they do, however, they also still only seemingly attract the same old, same old crowd. Yet they also know that they have many Pokémon (and maybe people) who become their followers. Their next step, then, would be to gather up all those followers and have a grand old time, much like certain mass meetings of Pokémon species. Realizing that would be a big step in their "peering" efforts to reach more lives.

A tale like the one told by the three Psychic type Pokémon is one that they'll keep telling according to what they do, the "peering". That tale has evidently continued for another year, and it took a fascinating turn for the ones involved. It also might still remain a "stretch", something I mentioned last year, but if their "peering" has a way, then their presence has a will - whether or not that's described in Pokémon terms.

One year ago: Quickies: The Fancy of Pokémon Leaves

Two years ago: Alternative Communities for Pokémon Fans

Three years ago: Contemporary Issues with Pokémon Games

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/17/2022

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Day 1

Six years ago: Catch Me If...

Seven years ago: The First Johto Saga Japanese Opening Theme

Eight years ago: Rearranged Pokémon Music

Nine years ago: How Far Do People Know Pokémon?

Quickies: Spirits of Setting Out

Something that may be inherent for many people involved with Pokémon is a spirit that incites or at the least inspires them for "setting out" or also "departure". Such a spirit may involve certain starting points or even midpoints like the "crossroads" that I incidentally also discussed last year on this day (see below). Even more than that, the idea can and would apply to the different people involved with it in different ways, which means different "spirits" as well. I thought I'd take a post to discuss and determine how that could be true for them. 

The different people would be the players (real people) and characters (imagined people) for whom the eponymous species relate. And for many of them, they'd also relate to the spirit of "setting out" likely involves actual movement from place to place, changing environments and certainly the Pokémon in them. It's a spirit that is constantly in flux, but for many of them, they wouldn't have it any other way, for it would be a realistic kind of "setting out". With Pokémon, that also means having many possibilities of their encounters.

Meanwhile, other people are certainly of the resident lot, and for them, their spirit of "setting out" may involve just the local places around them. Yet as anyone who lives with or around animals can attest, there's always something going on with them, so the "setting out" spirit involves facing the new challenges (or even some familiar ones) and continuing to deal with them. Thus, the Pokémon become the "animals" in this case, and the spirit can still apply, even for the most peculiar of ways - although the spirit itself is not as peculiar and just as strong.

Just the act of persisting in life takes a certain spirit of "setting out" to face all its dealings, and that may be even more so with a life that includes Pokémon. By moving from one place to another or letting time pass and doing something good with that time, a "departure" is achieved. It doesn't have to be a valiant one, and it would have to occur in all kinds of situations - perhaps by a certain suggestion - but "setting out" would still be on the order in some way. For fans of Pokémon, any of the forms it might take might just become the impetus for that.

One year ago: Pokémon Crossroads

Two years ago: Being Wary of Things in Pokémon Games

Three years ago: Looking Into Unite's "Regular" Events

Four years ago: The Pokémon DP Sound Library

Five years ago: Friendship Filters in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: To Eat and to Lure

Seven years ago: A Pidove Keychain

Eight years ago: Memories of Hoenn

Nine years ago: LINE Pokémon Stickers

Quickies: When Trees Have Memories

A certain myth states that trees possess memories and stories of the past. This myth has the implication that trees are not only alive biologically, but also spiritually in a way of speaking. Meanwhile, the people associated with the trees would keep track of what they know by a writing system that is evocative of the spirits of the trees, given their paramount importance. All this sounds like an elegant myth, and it seems it could also be applied to Pokémon in an equally elegant manner with its certain species that are pretty much sentient trees.

I'm of course talking about the likes of Trevenant, Exeggutor, and Sudowoodo (even if the last of these is just a "fake" tree), which are somewhat capable as far as trees go in battle, and their sentience is a given. In this way, they definitely do hold memories and stories, especially if they - the Pokémon - are associated with Trainers who are dear to them. Their related humans may only use a script that resembles Unown script to communicate with each other, but for the trees, at least some spiritual connection may be evident.

Now, the myth I mentioned above is from Ireland, which happens to be the land from where the singer Enya hails from, who happens to have an album entitled "The Memory of Trees" with the album's title track being the first. It's an instrumental piece that to me sounds like a spiritual journey through a forest of sentient trees, which could be a wonderful thing. The trees may not be any or all of the Pokémon species I mentioned above, but the same journey could conceivably apply somewhere in the vastness of the Pokémon world.

Whether trees are actually sentient could be considered up for debate, but there is no doubt that they're alive in different ways. The same is true of the Pokémon species that resemble trees in their appearance, although these trees are definitely sentient given the way they are and do their things in that world. Either way, they might just have certain capacities for holding memories, and thus the myth and the associated musical piece above may just ring true for all regular trees and Pokémon trees.

One year ago: Cosplay: Atarashii Sekai

Two years ago: #25 Makes a +62 Journey

Three years ago: A Solitary Pokémon Fantasy

Four years ago: (Dis)Engagement in Silph Arena Action

Five years ago: To Spotlight or Not to Spotlight?

Six years ago: Cosplay: Nihon Matsuri 2020

Seven years ago: These Sides of Paradise

Eight years ago: Another Big Shuffle Update

Nine years ago: In-Game Trainer Name Inspirations

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