The Post URLs on This Blog

Earlier at the beginning of the year, I discussed a few issues on this Pokémon blog that I've discovered and may deserve to be overhauled at some point. One of those issues is the domain name for this blog, which was recommended to be custom rather than generic with the content provider. The domain is of course one part of the URL for the posts on it, which becomes further specified to certain posts by whatever lies afterwards. Altogether, that's what I intend to discuss in its own separate post (this one) as it seems to have some weight.

The URLs for posts on this blog have a distinct structure: they are the year and the month of the posting after the domain, then the page for the post itself. Most of them are already clear, especially for posts with short titles, but longer ones may have odder ones. The reason for that is because they are likely the ones auto-generated from the post title by the content provider, and I didn't think about giving them a custom one even though I could; the reasons may be related to time as well as pure mindlessness. 

One reason I'm bringing this up is because like the custom domain issue, it may be regarded as a vital part of site management, one that may be lagging in some respects. Ideally, I may need to be doing it - putting a custom URL for every post - but it does seem like most of the ones that were auto-generated would have been what I put in anyway, and I become complacent and/or overlook the ones that really do need a custom URL.

It seems that, like with the same site management issues I discussed previously, my focus wasn't on them; rather, the focus was on the creation of content without having to be held back by technical issues. It was (and still is) something I consider important for the purpose of this blog. It is certain that technical issues are important as well, especially if they come up and need resolution... and it seems that may have happened.

Having this blog for six years and now onwards into its seventh year has made me realize how extensive my Pokémon interests are and my penchant for writing. With all the specific technical aspects that are involved, it also has made me realize how I may need assistance in resolving them, as with post URLs above. As I'm running around and dealing with Pokémon problems, it seems I may need to resolve my technical issues at the same time.

One year ago: Streaming Pokémon Anime Episodes

Two years ago: Introducing Collection Challenges

Three years ago: (Finally, Another) Local EX Raid, 1/9/2020

Four years ago: Pokémon Ceramics

Five years ago: Hitching a Raid Ride

Six years ago: A Tale of Two Shirts

Tournament: Raid Group Ember Cup

And of course, the reason why I had to cover this month's themed cup for Silph Arena right away is because my raid group has started to concoct its assortment of tournaments for this new individual competitive season, appropriately beginning with that themed cup. It is to serve as a "launching pad" for group members, as well as others of adjacent communities if possible, to gain rank in the competitive season; that too has always been the case, both in the past prior to the current conditions and in the present competition.

Still, that's just the theory; in practice, no one from outside my raid group signed up by the time it came to hold the tournament today, and the participants were meager as well, almost prompting the tournament to be postponed. However, I suggested that the system of the tournament be changed to one that is more accommodating in order to allow it to go on, and the organizer in my group agreed. Taking my suggestion, the system was changed, and it went on as scheduled for today. This change is another hallmark of what this current Silph Arena season accommodates, for even groups with minor interest.

Usually, tournaments in the Silph Arena are held with the Swiss system, which should be familiar for anyone who deals with competitive play for Pokémon games (and certain other games). However, Factions is an exception, as it uses a "round robin" system (everyone plays against each other) for many of its teams; the same system is in fact also available for use in Silph Arena tournaments for individual Trainers that are held in person and has four to eight participants, less than the "quota" of nine for the Swiss system. This one "checks off all the boxes", so to speak, and so it was the case that the system was changed to that.

This current tournament ended up having just five Trainers, including me, which with the round robin system meant four rounds against the other four Trainers and an extra "bye" round for all (the one Trainer that did not get matched with anyone while the other four battled). By the constraints of the system, it is also in person, and the choice was to hold it in the local park that also hosted some previous editions of Community Day while it is unavailable for such due to the risk of inclement weather. However, since the tournament was scheduled for the late morning, it had to be perfectly fine, and it was.

Regarding results, they weren't too shabby either; in fact, they were very interesting and very good. This is the first Silph Arena tournament where the victory went to... me! Actually, there were three Trainers who won the same number of rounds (three, excluding the bye round), but considering the number of battles won as a tiebreaker, I effectively came out on top with 10 battles won in total: I swept all the battles in the rounds where I won, and in the one I didn't win, I "stole" an extra win. Interestingly, the head-to-head results showed that those top Trainers won and lost against one of the other each. I actually had resigned myself to fate by the last round (specifically after my second round loss) when I was told that if I won the last round, the above results could occur... and it did, and I won the last round outright.

The proud five (and an even prouder middle person).

Following the tournament, we gathered at a local coffee shop and had drinks and talks, as well as a PvP "clinic" of sorts where we discussed its associated theories and practices, and then applied them as a couple of us battled in the Go Battle League in the current available formats. As well, we discussed a few things about the Silph Arena... and established a matter of interest related to its tournaments, which I can't bring up at the moment, but all will become clear in due time. It is something that I will have to keep tabs on - literally.

Years of participation in Pokémon game tournaments have finally produced quite favorable results for me in this particular one, even if the tournament itself was of a limited capacity and almost fell through. Though the circumstances may be different, there is a sense that the effort is still the same. That's something to be maintained in the case that I participate in further tournaments, and that's not "if" but "when", as the Silph Arena season has only started. The efforts have to continue as the tournaments themselves also do so.

One year ago: Quickies: Clapping with Pokémon

Two years ago: The Syntax of Pokémon Names

Three years ago: Locks on Shiny Forms

Four years ago: A Pokémon Case Analytic Scenario

Five years ago: The Three-Count

Six years ago: On the Subject of Go

Pokémon Go Community Day, 1/7/2023

It's a new record: with this month's Community Day for Pokémon Go being today, it is the earliest ever Community Day in the year yet. That's a pretty impressive feat, but then Community Day has always been impressive in different capacities, not the least of which is being able to draw Trainers from different groups or backgrounds into a single meeting and even if that meeting isn't completely independent. That makes the event always attractive to be covered as its own post, which brings things to today.

For this very early edition of Community Day, the featured Pokémon is Chespin, which means that the sixth-generation starters have been broken out, starting with this one. Predictably, as it's the Grass type starter, it gets Frenzy Plant as its exclusive move when evolved fully to Chesnaught. Meanwhile, the main bonus is quartered Egg hatch distance, which serves well those who have plenty of Eggs. The extra paid Special Research is titled "Quality Quills" and discusses the characteristics of this spiky species family, hosted by Professor Willow as normal. The standard bonuses of extended Lure Modules and Incense plus photo bombs, as well as the expanded bonuses of doubled Candy, doubled Candy XL chance, discounted trades, an extra Special Trade, on-site post-event Quilladin raids (the middle evolutionary form) with extra appearances, and commemorative stickers are a given.

Not much was different about the execution of this Community Day where I am. There was the local meetup for a good time (at the same location as with a few previous editions) with others and to bring together as many different Trainers as possible, exactly as I had stated at the beginning. There were a couple of differences, though: the person manning the merchandise had delegated responsibilities due to family matters, and... in fact, there was none for the present time, since this early edition coincided with the break for Niantic and therefore most of the usual selection of merchandise could not be furnished. Remnants of old ones were still distributed, and so it is that were handed out to those who hadn't gotten them.

Different photo spot, same great results.

Merchandise or not, some surprises were still to be had, including near-perfect ones. I myself evolved the usual assortment of ones that are desirable - the best one, a Buddy one, a Shiny one, two Lucky ones (one of which was the Shiny one), and one for possible use in the Great League and Ultra League in case some odd format or changes to the Pokémon warrant usage of Chesnaught. After Community Day, there was also one final surprise that involved a true Pokémon adventure from one PokéStop to another, but this deserves to be expanded on another occasion. This present one is (or was) still quite adventurous enough.

This early edition of Community Day is (and was) different enough, but that does speak to the power that those differences may have. It brought out the first of the Kalos starters and a host of different people in my local meeting - as it should be for others - plus some surprises throughout. Many impressions are still to be gained, in particular for having the first one of the year organized and paving the way for the rest.

One year ago: A Movie-Watching Dream

Two years ago: Previous Plus One

Three years ago: The Substitute Being (or Doll)

Four years ago: Family Affairs

Five years ago: Rethinking Salt

Six years ago: Tournament: Local Friendly, 1/7/2017

The Embers of a New Season

At long last, a new Silph Arena season for individual Trainers (that is, outside of the Factions team competition) is at hand. There are a number of changes for this season, most of them pertinent to making competitions flow better and workable by Trainers in different conditions and parts of the world, but I purely focus on the formats or themed cups that make the season what it is - it's just the way I've always done things. And so it is with the first themed cup that I start to cover the season.

This season's first themed cup is "Ember". And... it is exactly like the Battlefield in the current Cycle of the Factions competition. Such a situation constitutes one of the changes in this new season, which will have a few of its non-league Battlefields as themed cups, in the same fashion as (and reciprocal to) older themed cups being a part of earlier Factions Cycles as Battlefields. It's a sensible change, as others who don't play Factions (like me) or else don't specifically deal with the Battlefield can also experience them in this way. It becomes rather insightful for all Trainers who participate in Silph Arena in any case.

Just as a review, for this themed cup, Pokémon of the types of Grass, Fire, Electric, and Ground are fair game, as are eight selected species (Primeape, Poliwrath, Machamp, Honchkrow, Malamar, Alolan Muk, Sirfetch’d, Hisuian Qwilfish). The types that are not fair game are Rock, Dragon, and Steel, as well as Water  with Ground (the so-called "mud boys"), and ten selected species (Nidoqueen, Ninetales, Dugtrio, Lanturn, Pachirisu, Abomasnow, Whimsicott, Stunfisk, Diggersby, and Salazzle) are also off the table, as well as Mega Evolution and Shadow. That leaves around 200 species that are presently appearing in Pokémon Go and can be selected for battle with the themed cup, though of course some will be more viable than others.

Since this themed cup has the novelty of allowing some "curated" species, certainly for reasons of balance, they should be used if at all possible within conceived teams. Speaking of those teams, each of the four primary types as above are considered essential and by themselves even form a loop of relations going from Fire to Grass to Ground to Electric and back. The key may be to determine how opposing Trainers will utilize this loop of relations and the "curated" species in battle, and then to come up with countering teams to see how things will play out during the battles.

With a new season of the Silph Arena individual Trainer competition, there comes new changes in quite a few of its aspects, and its first themed cup already shows evidence of that with the simultaneity to the Factions team competition. As I've said, the restrictions themselves are fairly simple but the teams and battles ought to be quite dynamic; that makes it perfect as a "warm-up" to the new season, one that appropriately starts off with sparks to light up the glow of a new beginning.

One year ago: Pokémon Asia Bulbasaur Mug

Two years ago: No Scans for You

Three years ago: Pokémon Statues

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

Five years ago: More Odd Poké-Pika Things

Six years ago: A 3DS Story

Kids in Cosplay?

A week and a half ago, I attended (or rather, had Ash attend - moreover by necessity) a special event on a special day that of course featured cosplay by me and others. What was interesting was that the people who were involved were of a broad range of ages, specifically some people who are younger in stature - that is, kids. That has prompted me to discuss their involvement in cosplay, especially given my specialty of Pokémon cosplay and what that entails for that involvement.

An obvious question definitely comes up in this case: when should kids try to become involved in cosplay? A friend of mine suggested that once kids are able to grasp the concept of a "character" or else "characterization", then they should be able to take part in cosplay; it means that they should be able to comprehend the things that make characters who they are (for example, Brock has frequent infatuations). I went one step further and suggested that when they have learned about drama and roleplay, they can then partake in cosplay; it is obvious that it is what the "play" represents. And it is very much a part of cosplay, particularly when it comes down to creating and executing stage plays or performances, even if the dialogue is premade as in the case of my Pokémon performances.

Next, there is the subject of what kids should cosplay. As with consumption of any other form of media, kids should cosplay something that is appropriate for their age. If someone else requests them - or they themselves request - to cosplay something beyond what they should consume, then parental approval is certainly necessary, aside from their possession of the above understandings. Of course, within the context of this blog, Pokémon should be perfectly fine for kids to cosplay, as it is designed to be consumable by all ages; the fact that it has specifically designated entertainment for them (including at PFJ) makes that rather evident, and cosplay naturally follows as a result. 

I had the opportunity to talk with the parents of one of the children at the event above who cosplayed a certain character that seemed to be a radical choice for kids in both content and costume. They told me that it was the child's own desire to cosplay, and the child chose that very character; I was not privy to the details of the costume creation, but it can be assumed that it was made possible with adult assistance given its complexity. And so this case may be considered to be perfectly fine, and even a Pokémon cosplay for the child might have even entailed going through much of the same hoops.

It has to be considered that cosplay for kids is perfectly fine, in particular if they understand what they need to do for it and they have the interest in doing so for whatever fandom their interests lie in. That said, if a little Pokémon spirit becomes involved somehow, that ought to bode well for them and the fans of the franchise like me, and it is thus perfectly applicable as cosplay in general is for them with some notes.

One year ago: Indomaret Promotional TCG Cards

Two years ago: (Re)Structuring Competitions

Three years ago: Jelly-Filled Doughnuts

Four years ago: Cosplay: Bunkasai XXI

Five years ago: The Music of Go

Six years ago: Alt+0233 and Its Kin

Three to Get Ready, Go

Still early in the year, while not strictly related to Pokémon, I want to bring up my "yearly themes", as I've done in different posts across past years. Although it has to be admitted that they're abstract, self-prophetic, and culturally referential, I still quite believe that they have a guiding substance for the happenings throughout the year. Some of those happenings, certainly in relation to me and this blog, are Pokémon happenings and thus they are valid to be considered. And so it is that the "yearly themes" provide a plan form for those happenings at the beginning of the year and a basis of reflection at the end.

Continuing the "numbers" theme from the past two years, this year takes the theme of "Three to Get Ready, Go". Now, for those musically inclined as I am, a part of this theme might be recognized as the lyrics of a certain song, but I actually strongly dislike the song in question. To counteract that, I've appended "Go" as something that follows "Get Ready" or just "Ready" in many situations, including games (in fact, Pokémon Unite is such an example). That would imply that Pokémon could stand to be involved somehow, being mostly in the form of games. As for the number, three years roughly have passed since current conditions have taken effect, and the world is not quite "out of the woods" yet, but more could now be gained as before, if my report on the local event is of any indication.

That last part may be taken to be of great beginnings for many things, including Pokémon. Traditionally, those things would be further happenings are disclosed within the year through various means - specifically announcements like Pokémon Presents. For things that have already begun, like Pokémon Go continuing its multiple-year progression and Pokémon Unite still proceeding from a great beginning, that would mean the things that would expand those circumstances and make them "go", certainly. While a few of the usual things have been announced, much remains to be seen throughout this year.

Being that this year has only barely started, much of it still has to go on. And when it does, a few surprises could be expected. That becomes something else that ties into the "get ready, go" aspect; it would mean to be ready for surprises and to deal with them when they occur. As I've stated above, I don't consider the world to be free of current conditions just yet, and things are still developing - possibly in unexpected ways as well. But then it seems that the same may be applied to Pokémon happenings, with the potential surprises that they hold, and as such one seems to need to heed the above aspect when it does apply.

After three years of what seems like a "hampering" of the world - along with certain Pokémon things - the world may seem to be about to be needing to "get ready, go" for all the things that were missed within those years. While having to also watch out for possible surprises, the world has to and does continue to go on, and the same is true of Pokémon. That is practically the gist of this year's theme, which should play itself out as the year progresses. There is still much guidance to be found now and much reflection to be made later with the themes, Pokémon notwithstanding.

One year ago: TCG 25th Anniversary (Plus Localized Content)

Two years ago: New GBL Novelties

Three years ago: On Third Parties

Four years ago: The Loading Screen of Go

Five years ago: Team Assistance and Secrecy

Six years ago: "They can imitate you, but they can't duplicate you..."

Cosplay: Pokémon Festival Jakarta

Me: And... Here we go!

Goh: Wow! You actually made it!

Ash: This is beyond awesome!

Pikachu: Pika chuu!! ["Awesome!!"]

Me: But first things off: I'd like to say that I sent you on Sunday, New Year's Day, so this is a report of what happened that day. It's also not a strictly character [OOC: cosplay] event for us, but I did send you in character, which is entirely the purpose of going here. But I'm sure you're fine with that, because we did the reporting later last week too.

Ash, Goh: Yeah!

Me: OK then, let's start off with what you saw there. I got you there with your Kanto outfit, the new version, and then...

Ash: I saw a lot of things! There was a place to play the cards, a Christmas tree with lots of Pokémon on it, huge Poké Balls hanging from the top, a place for catching and battling Pokémon, a place for kids to have fun and watch the action, a store with lots of goodies, and even an ice skating rink!

Goh: An ice skating rink?!

Me: Well, it is the "winter" holidays after all, so that's quite expected and plausible, even where we are.

Ash: You needed to pay to skate, but everything else was free.

Me: That's OK - I didn't send you here to skate, and we can't fluke it anyhow. What did you do then?

Ash: I got a sheet of paper to fill out - it asked me to do all kinds of things.

Goh: Like what?

Ash: It told me to catch a Pikachu in the area...

Pikachu: Pi-ka pika... ["Interesting..."]

Ash: ...then to battle Pokémon in teams, and to try out playing the cards - but this last one I had to wait later on for my turn with other people.

Goh: What did you get after all that?

Ash: I got a special card! It looks so neat.

Me: I'm looking at the sheet, and it seems if you had more time and could try out playing the cards twice more, you could get another special card - but we don't have that much time. The same also goes for finding Pokémon in three different areas outside the location but farther away.

Ash: The traffic was bad. I wouldn't go there, and in the end, I couldn't.

Me: I thought you could get to my other friends there, but it turns out it's not possible. But that's OK. What else?

Ash: I got to keep the cards I used to play. It kinda helped that you already got me to know some of the things I needed to do.

Me: It helped, didn't it? But let's let that slide.

Goh: Anything else that you saw?

Ash: I saw six really big Pikachu dancing! Later on, I saw them with Eevee also dancing to different music.

Pikachu: Pika chu, pika! ["Looks neat, really!"]

Goh: That is entertaining.

Ash: I took a picture with a Pikachu and... hey, it's a totally new Pokémon!

Me: That is what's called Fuecoco.

Goh: I've just heard of this Pokémon - it's from the Paldea region. But I guess... we might not have time to deal with that?

Me: That's a discussion for another time, but the point seems to be made. Speaking of pictures, usually when I send you to places, there would be people asking for pictures with you. How was it this time?

Ash: Not a lot of people did that.

Me: Well, I guess that's understandable, given that the event is not a character event. Also my friend tells me that we may not have decided on the appropriate outfit for the occasion, and part of the blame might be on me.

Ash: But I did get this one:

Me: Hey, a friend tells me that the person beside you here is very important around here!

Ash: What? I can't believe it!

Goh: This could lead to something big.

Me: There's always that possibility. Speaking of friends, you came here with one of my friends to make sure you weren't lonely - I helped to do just that.

Ash: Yeah! We then met his friend who's in the area and then your other friend. The first two left early to do other things, but I had a great time with your other friend.

Me: Nice, huh? It was the first time in years we met physically, so this time is significant since we now know each other very well. And in this case, you also represent me, so things have to be great.

Ash: It was! The rest of the day, we just took pictures together and chose a few goodies to bring back to you.

Goh: A few, huh? This looks more than that.

Me: I'll take care of the goodies in a separate discussion. So, I think that's pretty much it - overall impressions?

Ash: It was different than what you usually send me to, but this one really had Pokémon all the way! It's fantastic. I feel really great with it.

Goh: If they could include characters, it could really accommodate more people.

Me: Maybe, but that could be hard. Still, we did our best...

Ash: ...and we had no regrets!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Right!"]

Me: They say if you enjoy something you spend, then it's not a waste of that. It's different, but it's still great.

Goh: Most importantly, it involved Pokémon completely, which is important for all of us.

Me: I agree, and that matters very, very much, even if it's far away. Great job!

Ash, Goh: Nice one!

Pikachu: Pi pika chu! ["Very nice indeed!"]

One year ago: Two and Two Together

Two years ago: A Dream with Partners

Three years ago: A Clear Vision

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

Five years ago: Now Accepting Donations

Six years ago: Confessions and Concessions