Let's Talk About Waiting Games

Me: Did you know? There is a game that's not really a game.

Ash: What game would that be?

Me: That would be the "waiting game". It means you don't do anything - at least for just a brief amount of time - so then you can do something effective after that time.

Ash: Oh, like in a Pokémon battle where I have Pikachu dodge attacks, and then when the time is right, it does a Thunderbolt for a direct hit?

Pikachu: Pika! ["Attack!"]

Me: Yeah, a little like that. In fact, you could say it's like that for a Pokémon effort I'm involved in. Sometimes you have to attack right away with what works for that, but other times you have to wait a bit before doing so.

Ash: I get it. Sometimes the obvious move isn't the best move at that moment. You have to try to find the right moment, then you go in for the attack. That's when you take control.

Me: Indeed. But you do seem to have to be patient for that.

Ash: That is part of the game, as you say.

Me: Sure enough. Speaking of moments, you've had your waiting game moments, but not in battle. They were in the Pokémon Center, waiting for one of your Pokémon to heal.

Ash: Those times were tense. You could say that it was all I had in mind then. It was pretty much a waiting game.

Pikachu: Pi, pika chu. ["Yeah, really."]

Me: If I were in your shoes - and in a way I am - I would've done the exact same thing, so I feel for you. 

Ash: Trust me, you don't want to be in these moments too often. That waiting game is hard.

Me: No, I suppose I don't want to, and I'm sure you're right.

Ash: By the way, when are you going to "drop by" Galar? It's been some time since we knew about it, you know.

Me: I don't know. Before I can "drop by" Galar, I have to resolve a few other businesses, and I can't do anything about that until those are done. It's a "waiting game" that for now has to continue.

Ash: I think I understand. Whatever you do, make sure you try to get the complete package so you can have fun everywhere in there. I can vouch for it.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["I can too!"]

Ash: Maybe after that you'd like to do other things?

Me: Oh, I'd love to take pictures of Pokémon, or maybe serve up things in a café, or maybe consider other regions as well.

Ash: I think that would be neat, but maybe those are other "waiting games".

Me: I have no doubt. I for one can't wait to send you to events and conventions again for the purpose of fulfilling our shared goals.

Ash: But is there really one right now? If there is, would you feel comfortable doing that for me as much as it is convenient for both of us? Think about that.

Me: Maybe, maybe not. Even if there were, with the state of things so far, I'm still quite nervous. I think we have to play the "waiting game" for somewhat longer.

Pikachu: Pi pika. Pika pika! ["That's OK. We can wait!"]

Ash: Don't rush it. I'll go when you can be sure it's safe for me to go. I'll still do whatever you'll need me to do. Once things are clear, then the waiting game is over.

Me: You are absolutely right. It seems that when that happens, life can go on as intended, for my own objectives and - I'm sure of it - for much of yours as well.

Ash: And if it's possible, we'll try to be there for you too.

Pikachu: Pika! ["Yes!"]

Me: Game on.

One year ago: Tournament: Raid Group Toxic Cup

Two years ago: Gender Appeal

Three years ago: At a Loss... in Lavender Tower

Four years ago: GSC Nendoroid Series #425: Red

All I Can Do, with You

Sometimes I wonder if it'll ever end

You get so mad at me when I go out with my friends

Sometimes you're crazy then you wonder why

I'm such a baby, yeah, the ______ make me cry

Well there's nothing I can do

I only wanna be with you

You can call me your fool

I only wanna be with you...

-- "Only Wanna Be with You"

From the Post Malone concert, the song that I keep addressing is this song. In relation to Post Malone, this song is subtitled as the "P25 Version" because it was specially sung or commissioned as such for this big anniversary. Yet behind the special quality of this song for this very anniversary, there's a certain background to it, especially personally for me. And all of that needs to be discussed somehow.

This song is actually a cover: the original song is by Hootie and the Blowfish. That is one reason why I didn't include the artist in the lyric excerpt above as I usually do for songs. Another reason, as well as for why the excerpt above also includes a "blank", is that the original and the cover differ in lyrics in that part - the original has "dolphins" while the cover has "cowboys", both of which can be construed as references to sports teams particular to either artist. If it were me personally, because of my local area, I would put "lions"... but that's already tending to a digression.

I first heard this song (the original) on the radio years and years ago, though I never cared too much for it, nor did I ever identify its artist or title. It was only because of the Post Malone concert (and of course, the Pokémon anniversary) that I finally identified the title and then subsequently the artists for the purpose of becoming acquainted with this song. As for the original artist - being the above band - the vocalists have given the approval for this cover, which includes Pokémon twists, the most notable being the inclusion of the intro melody of the Cianwood City theme.

The song was first released in 1994, years before Pokémon came into being. Even so, it is entirely possible that some Pokémon fans might have been doing something with Pokémon while listening to the song, likely playing one of the games. Others have also construed the song's lyrics as being emblematic of the relationship between Ash and Pikachu, and I won't doubt that - the dynamics of the relationship are sometimes like the lyrics suggest, being a little wild, but the two remain a dynamic pair no matter what. I'm sure this is exactly what the others realize as well.

Post Malone cannot really take full credit for this song, but the song itself is a nice idea for the big Pokémon anniversary, and the twists included for just that cements the idea. In the end, it seems that many Pokémon fans, including me, want to be with Pokémon for as long as possible if not always, and that's all they can do. Whether one is a fool or not for that may just remain in the eyes of the beholder.

One year ago: Sad Music from Kanto

Two years ago: A Girl and a Fan

Three years ago: The Place to Be

Four years ago: Cosplay: Daisuki Japan 7 - Wanderlust!

The Post Malone P25 Virtual Concert

Well, this is yet another topic that I need to get out of the way fast since it's also long overdue. For the big Pokémon anniversary this year, part of it is due to be celebrated with music, as detailed the very month before. One of the participating artists in this campaign of music is Post Malone, and last month, timed with the onset of the anniversary, a virtual concert featuring the artist was held. That concert is somewhat fascinating to say the least, so I feel the need to write about it and highlight some of its finer points.

For those who missed the concert on its premiere, it can still be seen by way of this YouTube link. It's not an overly long concert - only 13 minutes in all - but it's enjoyable nonetheless. As it is a virtual concert, there is no audience to speak of beyond those who are watching like me and others, but the initial setting for it does contain a sizable emulated audience. In this concert, Post Malone appears in 3D form to blend in with the setting, which also does include certain Pokémon as the overarching theme of the concert.

I say "initial setting" because the concert takes the artist beyond the setting of a stage with an audience and throughout various places in the world of Pokémon. Naturally, the Pokémon that appear in those places also join in the fun as the "audience" to the concert. As for the artist, he sang a few of the songs he is somewhat well-known for, as well as the song that I also noted earlier as being purposefully tied in for this anniversary, and that one deserves its own discussion later on - as in, in another post.

Overall, the concert is pleasant, and the Pokémon setting sets the mood for the big anniversary, if that song alone doesn't already fit the bill. Some people have noted that Post Malone is a bit of a dicey choice for representation of something as universal as Pokémon based on his background, but his being practically "commissioned" for the song and the concert should mean that at least some good is seen for him, especially how he gets along (or has gotten along) with Pokémon all these years.

A virtual concert still makes sense not only because of what is happening in the world today, but also to be able to integrate the Pokémon connections further, and this virtual concert has definitely done that along with connections to a unique artist based on the songs that he sings. The big anniversary is still relevant even now with more to come for it, especially for the music campaign, and this concert is as good as any to be enjoyed and to mark an especially momentous occasion for Pokémon.

One year ago: No Sight, No Mind

Two years ago: Fashion Statements by Pokémon

Three years ago: PokéTerminology

Four years ago: Cosplay Hair

New Pokémon Go Bonus Hour Experiments

Every so often, Pokémon Go conducts experiments of new events or sub-features of events. Some of these have the potential to (and do) become mainstays after the experiment, such as Raid Hour and Spotlight Hour. This month, Pokémon Go is doing or has done a few more experiments, all of them on Thursdays and of which one takes place today. There's some importance in exploring and discussing them, and that becomes the objective of this post.

Two weeks ago, the first experiment was conducted in the form of "Go Rocket Hour". During that time, Team Go Rocket balloons became present at a very quick interval: 12 minutes, the fastest yet. In certain previous events, the interval had been reduced to 2 hours from 6 hours, but because this obviously has to take place within the hour, it had to be within minutes instead. For those confined to certain places and are looking for Mysterious Components to make a Rocket Radar, this could be considered to be very helpful, though I've heard from others that they'd like to see them at PokéStops as well since they have greater mobility. It may be that the experiment has to try this the next time around, but even with just balloons, this experiment already has value and can stand to be repeated, perhaps with, say, a quicker turnaround of 10 minutes. In general, the idea can be extended to certain limited events as well, not necessarily just an hour's worth of time.

The very next week, there was a "Mega Candy Hour". In this experiment, the bonus Candy gained by catching Pokémon of the same type as a Mega-Evolved Pokémon was increased. From what I can discern, however, the response to this experiment seems to be lukewarm tending to cold, either because others did not have a Mega-Evolved Pokémon at the ready or are unwilling to spend hard-earned Mega Energy for a bonus period of only one hour, and I can understand. The "bonus" can seem to be more easily made up when it becomes convenient to do so, particularly within the span of time of a Mega Evolved Pokémon. This "bonus" is also likely not to survive with a length of one hour, in similar vein to the "Mystery Bonus Hours" of the past (now not so much a "mystery" and integrated with Spotlight Hour), but could stand to be implemented as part of certain events, perhaps Go Fest or even Community Day. It seems to be only lucrative when it is worth it.

Then there was today, with the experiment for today being "Mega Raid Hour". As can be expected, this experiment marries the Raid Hour framework with level 5 Mega Raids, with available Gyms hosting them instead of level 5 Legendary Raids. I participated in this, and I can say that the experiment may help those who are seeking Mega Energy. This may be good for encouraging Trainers to raid the level 5 Mega Raids, though one downside that I can see is that some Trainers may not want to raid certain Pokémon when they appear, especially if a mixture of them is involved, as with times that multiple Legendary Pokémon in raids appear. Although helpful, I can see this being repeated only every two weeks instead of the weekly Raid Hour, depending on the response of others. It still has a certain value and worthy of further editions with improvements like limiting the possible Pokémon involved to just one or two, allowing for a more targeted approach.

All of these experiments have proven their worth - or not - and at least some of these may be reimplemented as they are or with modification for inclusion in other events or to make them more viable. The viability of later editions seems to be the thing that Trainers are most expectant about, because by then the experiments can be considered to be a mainstay and something that Trainers of Pokémon Go can count on for their efforts.

One year ago: On Blogging and Microblogging

Two years ago: Character Songs

Three years ago: "You Shall Not Pass" - Hard-to-Access Gyms and PokéStops

Four years ago: Alton : Food :: I : Pokémon

The Sentience of Pokémon

To different people - including both real and imagined - Pokémon can be regarded as amazing beings. They have impressive capabilities that rival or exceed those of the real world. One of those capabilities might very well be "sentience", or their sentient quality. For any being, real or otherwise, this could very well be considered an amazing capability in itself. For the creatures of Pokémon, the capability might deserve further considerations.

Some Pokémon don't appear to be sentient, yet they in fact are. Slowpoke could be considered the "poster child" for this, as in at least one case it is sentient, but it takes a long time for that sentience to be manifested in a response. Then there's Snorlax, which is likely to be found sleeping and seemingly non-sentient, but when awake and hungry, the Pokémon becomes a wholly different matter. The Beldum family is another one that seemingly falls into a gray area, but despite their body of unnatural substance, they appear to be quite sentient. Looks and behaviors are therefore quite deceptive in this regard.

Meanwhile, most Pokémon like Pikachu as the de facto mascot are definitely sentient, showing that they can feel (and then think) for themselves and reciprocate what results from those processes in their actions. Their "language" is sporadic in terms of elements, but it seems comprehensive enough to capture all of their sentiments in expression... though the big question is whether people can capture much of that. At least, most people can capture just enough to affirm the sentience of the creatures.

Remarkably, a select few of the creatures possess the sentience and are apparently able to demonstrate that sentience in a way that people could understand and truly affirm of their sentience. Mewtwo as seen in the movies is a major one in this regard in displaying its full-fledged sentience, by which the people then understand what is going on and can lead to dialectics, however minor.

The creatures of Pokémon remain an imaginary lot for most people of the real world, but they are as real as can be for the people of that world. Yet from what can be discerned about Pokémon, their sentience appears to be as real as can be as well, even if the quality might not make itself immediately evident. By all accounts, that should be considered amazingly impressive for the entire corpus of all of the creatures.

One year ago: There Are Monsters Outside

Two years ago: "Monkey Trio" Keychain Figures

Three years ago: What's Played, What's Not, and What's Next

Four years ago: Pokémon X Food Network ...?

Localized Legendary Pokémon

Of all the different kinds of Pokémon, there is nothing quite like Legendary Pokémon as the representatives of specific regions. More often than not, Legendary Pokémon often identify their respective regions and vice versa. But it may also be supposed that they can also be identified beyond the respective regions of origin and even become a feature of the regions that are outside of their natural confines. This would amount to a "localization" of them.

In a way, this has already been affirmed by a particular case. That case would be of the three Galarian forms of the three Legendary birds of Kanto, as the identified regional or "localized" forms of these Legendary Pokémon. Like other regional forms of other Pokémon, they appear to have completely adapted to the region, yet they maintain a semblance of their original appearance. This is to be expected with the way that regional forms have been identified.

Yet it may be that some legendary Pokémon can exist as they are in different regions even though they are not in their regions of origin. In other words, they become "localized" to the region but not a regional form of that region. This would be the case for the scenario of the second feature film that features the three birds from Kanto and Lugia from Johto in a setting quite detached and distant from their original regions.

The supposition would also have to consider the possibility that there are more Legendary Pokémon of one species than there may be thought, also as per the case of the anime during the Johto saga. This would have to be a necessary precursor as well to the regional forms of the three birds of Kanto as above before they adapted to Galar. As for the process of how this can come about, that may be better reserved for a different discussion.

It's hard not to discount Legendary Pokémon as being regionally representative, in close association to the regions where they hail from. At the same time, natural processes can demand that they adapt or at least settle in different places beyond the regions they are so closely associated to. Given all three conditions above, it may be considered that the dynamics of Legendary Pokémon and their regions can be very complex underneath the surface.

One year ago: Brushing Up on Pokémon Mythology

Two years ago: Cosplay: Neko-Neko

Three years ago: Our Glory of Love

Four years ago: Multilingual Pokémon

A Year of Living Dangerously

Exactly one year ago (see below), I attended a cosplay event or convention that unbeknownst to me would be the last one I could conceivably attend - certainly, with Pokémon in tow - for a long time due to the onset of global conditions. The conditions themselves started to encroach upon my local area just a couple of weeks prior to that point. And after that point, it effectively became a "year of living dangerously" for really everyone but also me in particular. That would seem to be an important point that at this point in time has to be discussed along with the necessary Pokémon connections.

Most of the danger lay in going out, so it's conceivable that at that point, events and conventions fell like dominoes. This included not only cosplay as my own personal Pokémon front but also the tournaments of Pokémon Go as an emerging front as well as those of Pokémon in general. The safeguards are meagerly effective for simple matters but not larger ones as these, so it would be understandable that the danger is greatly amplified in them. The things that seem to pose the least danger included playing and enjoying Pokémon at home, at least after the initial setup is completed.

Fast-forward a year later, and things in my view are at the least still a little dangerous. I've already detailed my views on cosplay a couple of times, and they still continue to apply. It may be that I can still go out a little more frequently (such as for exercise with Pokémon Go) with the meager safeguards applied and that would lessen the danger, but the best practice remains staying wherever one is and not going out too frequently. With such conditions, it may be that the past "year of living dangerously" likely continues into this year, albeit a little less so, and the absolute most safe place still remains the home.

At the least, Pokémon is still present to accompany whomever during these potentially dangerous times, and it's something to be taken advantage of at home and - if possible  outside but with the appropriate safeguards. While it's anyone's guess when and how the danger will subside, I suppose that as I am a fan of Pokémon, some Pokémon things can still be done to a safe extent. And they will have to be the things that keep safe and are to be kept as such as well, in current times when life out there may still be (a little dangerous) and in a future when hopefully things will be safer.

One year ago: Cosplay: IAM COSPLAYCON

Two years ago: The Pokémon Search Bar in Pokémon Go

Three years ago: Ash and Pikachu, DJF 2018 Style

Four years ago: A Psyduck Headache