Earthing with Pokémon

Some weeks ago, I discovered "earthing", which may be considered a healing method of sorts. For those who know me very well or happen to be a frequent reader of this blog, though, they might be able to tell that I prefer a different sort of healing. Personally, I prefer to consider Pokémon as my healing method. But it may still be possible to consider both of them in tandem - both in a real sense and imaginative sense - and that becomes the purpose of this post, to explore the healing method of earthing along with Pokémon.

The healing method is as simple as can be. One spends time walking (in fact, not even having to walk - simply standing or sitting is good enough) with one's feet bare and exposed, and in contact with the ground or soil, and thus the earth; this also explains its alternative name of "grounding". The theory is that the electrons conducted by and trapped in one's body that cannot be conducted to any other surface otherwise can then be conducted to the ground. For those who deal with electronics day in and day out, the situation might be completely possible and earthing becomes a solution to that situation. As expected, gamers and especially Pokémon gamers, who are likely to deal with electronic devices, might find appeal with this healing method.

The integration of Pokémon with this healing method, though, may not be so simple. While one may not exactly want to play a console or mobile Pokémon game while executing this method of healing, which would defeat its purpose, one perhaps could stand to play a physical TCG match while doing so, and that would still work in a way. Other non-electronic Pokémon games could also stand to be played while executing the method. Else, if one really wanted to have something Pokémon while doing this method, it would have to be with a non-electronic Pokémon activity (such as reading the manga) or object (like a plush - Swampert would suit the theme) for the best experience possible.

As for actually imagining this occurring with Pokémon and in that world, it is certain that those of the Ground types naturally complement the method. They may not necessarily substitute for actual ground or soil for the method, but they could enhance the experience. Some of them can actually be ridden on (Rhyhorn in Kalos and Mudsdale in Alola come to mind), making them related even further to the execution of the method. It is also certain that anyone can partake in the method and not just those who are masters of said type, though surely they would be the ones that really master the method.

Being that I am quite attracted to Pokémon, I have to deal with its electronic aspect often. The healing method of earthing might serve well for this situation to offset its negative aspect. Considering how Pokémon is, it too might just have a place in its world to heal its people, but likely with a twist. With both the real and Pokémon worlds being "zappy" in some cases, earthing might just be quite appropriate no matter where one is.

One year ago: Taking Pictures of Pokémon

Two years ago: LINE Pokémon Emoji

Three years ago: The Super Incubator

Four years ago: The Badge Arcade Hit Its Limits

Pokémon Words from the Coach

Even with current conditions the way they are - and in fact, worsening in some cases - the hottest thing in soccer right now is the European Championships, called Euro for short, which is currently happening after being postponed for a year (though it's still labeled as that of last year). England is still competing, and they're making their headway with their coach, Gareth Southgate. As it is known that Pokémon and the FA of England are partners in a campaign with some relations to soccer, the two can also afford to link up on other matters related to soccer, like getting a few words with and from the coach himself.

One way this was accomplished was through a one-on-one interview with the coach by young interviewer Braydon Bent. The questions all highlight moments and insights that the coach possesses regarding soccer, having been a player for some years before his current tenure as coach for the team. The Pokémon aspect of the interview is handled by linking up appropriate Pokémon moments and insights (such as its first release) as the questions are asked. It might seem that the Pokémon aspect is kind of forced in - as some video commenters have noted - but the interview is of interest regardless, particularly for soccer reference.

The same style of questioning and answering was then repeated in a special press conference that involved more than one kid, being students from a local elementary school in England. The results are mostly the same in a shorter amount of presentation, though it may be considered a little bit more amusing if one can ignore the monotonous question delivery and take in the insights presented by the coach himself. Not surprisingly, some video commenters also had their own takes on the question format; while these may not be able to obtain official responses, it may still be fun to imagine how they could be responded.

With the way that the questions and answers are presented, they admittedly seem gimmicky for trying to get a few words from the coach about visions of soccer while incorporating Pokémon at the same time. Beyond that, it's still a nice outlook into what goes on in the mind of a soccer coach for consideration of teams, plays, and successes, even with a little Pokémon twist. Speaking of which, the coach isn't quite done with the Euro at this moment - there's still some ways to go before success can be conclusively determined. And that's for the coach to make things happen, perhaps with a little Pokémon spirit in the back.

One year ago: Pokémon (PKMN) Presents, 6/17/2020

Two years ago: On Copyrights

Three years ago: Boxes of Go-Goodies

Four years ago: There Is Only One Ball

The Mystique of the Slowpoke Well

Some of my recent Pokémon affairs have involved a certain very slow Pokémon, and that would evidently be Slowpoke. This Pokémon is also associated with a certain place in the world of Pokémon, and that would be the Slowpoke Well just outside of Azalea Town in Johto. It's one of a few places in the world that is (almost) solely related to a single Pokémon, and it's got a certain mystical quality about it, at least in my view.

The well is a source of local pride: the townsfolk are tied to the Slowpoke, and the Slowpoke are tied to the well, so the townsfolk are tied to the well. Even with Slowpoke being what they are, the townsfolk don't seem to mind, and they have good regard for the well and its denizens. Yet, the slow nature of Slowpoke makes this relationship seem quite mystical, as others may not necessarily wish to associate with such a Pokémon.

With the slow characteristic of the associated Pokémon, there is also something mystical about the well being perceived to harbor more secrets, which led to Team Rocket "invading" the well in order to uncover them. The thought of slow Pokémon possibly keeping secrets that are important for the world and nonetheless for Team Rocket is ethereal if not amusing, adding to the perceptions that already exist for others as above.

Slowpoke being slow may or may not be very mystical, but their relationship to a well - a unique part of the Pokémon world - and the overall relationship of that to others could very well have at least a little bit of that mystique. My recent affairs may or may not have had that same mystique, but the plausibility that at least a little bit of mystique exists cannot be counted out given what exists in the world of Pokémon, and I'm up for that.

One year ago: Good Storage Limit Counts

Two years ago: I'm a "General"!

Three years ago: Viewpoints and Preferences

Four years ago: Hounds and Hyenas, Canines of the Dark

Personal Social Media Experiments with Pokémon

On the official side of things, Pokémon has a pretty good and established social media presence. Rarely do things have to be experimented with that, and fans will happily snap up whatever is posted. For the rest of the people who deal with Pokémon affairs on social media, they might have to make a few experiments in order to find what works for them with what they can do. That includes me, and I may be considered to have conducted a few social media experiments involving Pokémon.

The biggest one is of course this blog. It was born around four and a half years ago in an experimental state... and now it seems a lot less experimental, though I'm never certain of the results. In a way, it's now my "living experiment" as a purposed social media for Pokémon things, and the results are always evolving (ahem) just as the experiment is always evolving based on whatever I put in it. The structure, appearance, and elements change according to what I've posted, and that has been proven true - examples being the category tags on the right and list of past-year posts below. I'm due to change more things, but that'll have to wait as things unfold in Pokémon or otherwise.

In second place would have to be the podcast efforts that I've dealt with or even made. The Pokémon Go podcast that I and a friend made is for certain, though with it being cut off shortly after it began, the "experiment" may be said to have failed. This is especially so if a chance will never come to start it up again. As for conceiving one of these myself, I'm certain that the opportunity exists, but the time allocation does not, to put it lightly and as I've explained before. But to be myself and bring Pokémon into the podcast of others, that I can do and can always make the time, and the time may be at hand once again, even if it's an experiment for what a friend may bring to the table.

An experiment that I really can't stand to execute at the moment is to produce something for video-based social media like YouTube for longer videos and others for shorter, popular clips - the latter of which I'm not too interested in participating anyway, at least by my own effort. Yet someone could always shoot a video of me and then proceed to modify it (particularly to embellish the Pokémon aspect) and make it pretty for uploading to the latter, and I wouldn't mind. That would be an experiment - theirs and mine - in many ways for the potential challenges that it might present, and whether or not it would work could depend on the persistence, patience, and power to get through all the details.

It seems that I may be considered to have my share of social media experiments. They range from this blog, podcasts, and even videos - all the standard social media venues, in which many people post and even Pokémon itself posts. While the latter does its thing to inform and delight people, the former can do the same and even try their hands at new things, some of which may or may not work well. Regardless of the state of the experiment, at least the purpose of (Pokémon) communication can be achieved as intended.

One year ago: Go with the Flow

Two years ago: The State of Officialness

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 6/16/2018

Four years ago: Limited Editions

Subspace Emissary Buddies Poster

Pokémon has few crossovers, but when they happen, they're a blast. Many of those crossovers involve (more precisely, come about by) the Super Smash Bros. series of games, which itself involves many major Nintendo franchises and even some outside of Nintendo. But by and large, those of Nintendo are the ones mostly involved, naturally involving Pokémon. Recently, I obtained a piece of merchandise that exemplifies one of these crossovers in the form of a poster containing artwork.

Before presenting the artwork, it helps to explain the background behind it. In a prior installment, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there is a play mode called "Subspace Emissary" that can be loosely described as an adventure platformer with the core game mechanics. One of the parts of that mode features Nintendo's Metroid franchise along with its main protagonist Samus (in Zero Suit form) eventually going up against the boss, Ridley. Along the way, Samus receives help from a character that is as zippy as herself, and that would be the de facto mascot of Pokémon, none other than Pikachu. Those who play the games consider the two as "buddies" by this fact, and the poster that I obtained is emblematic of this relationship.

The poster shows Samus holding her red helmet while Pikachu (with special guest Pichu) rests in the helmet. The art style seemingly makes them appear from a manga or anime, but that doesn't make the art out of place; instead, it becomes a unique factor. While they are only at ease as depicted in the poster artwork, it may not be doubted they might just be waiting for the right moment to spring back into action, just like they did in Subspace Emissary.

It cannot be doubted that Super Smash Bros. is ambitious in terms of its crossover potential even from the beginning. Likewise, some of those crossovers may become quite memorable in terms of appeal and power, and that would apply to Samus and Pikachu as depicted in the poster above. Through the ordeal of Subspace Emissary, they became united in an adventurous mission, and those who experience the mission as it occurs may just be prompted to commemorate the unity, especially through art.

One year ago: Names, Markets, and Issues

Two years ago: Code Affairs

Three years ago: Number One for...

Four years ago: 15th Feature Film Mini-Figures

Remembering Missing PokéStops and Gyms

Through recent travails past certain areas and information by certain members of my raid group, I've noticed that some areas are not what they used to be. Sure, there are many new PokéStops and Gyms in those areas, but a number has been found to be missing as well for one reason or another, which is quite unfortunate. Because of the situation, I want to take a post for the remembrance of these missing PokéStops and Gyms in their locations.

In my area, there have been two Gyms that have, unfortunately, been removed. One was removed as a result of a shift that led to unfortunate consequences, and another was removed with no warning - in fact, the latter one was the "library" Gym I mentioned in a post a long time ago, perhaps by someone knowing that the library no longer existed and using this information to report the Gym. While few PokéStops appear to have been removed, there are several PokéStops that have the potential to be removed, especially if they are marked for AR Mapping and/or contain questionable content. It may be well to hope that the phenomenon can be prevented or at the least minimized.

In a faraway area that I haven't been to in a long time, a couple of Gyms that I've encountered for a fact have disappeared, and even this has occurred prior to the present. A few PokéStops also appear to have been shuffled around to make room for new ones, with or without any of them having disappeared; obviously it's tough for me to be really observant about this with limited time in the places of concern, but the process surely has occurred. And they likewise suffer from the same effects of AR Mapping and questionable content as with local PokéStops and Gyms, or for that matter any area. But it is obvious that these two are of current and particular concern.

I and other Trainers are certainly disappointed that some PokéStops and Gyms have disappeared from the overworld map, whether in our local area or a faraway area. New PokéStops and Gyms may have replaced them in filling the void of their locations, but they will never replace them in spirit. For that reason, it is well worth it to remember their service, with the hope that whatever fills the void may live up to their expectations of service.

One year ago: Pokémon Conventions?

Two years ago: Integration Prospects

Three years ago: More Pokémon Paper Things

Four years ago: Poké-Crafts Made out of Paper

Let's Talk About Pursuing Our True Selves

Me: Well, I had an idea for a "Let's Talk" that wasn't a regular "Let's Talk", but to "protect the innocent", so to speak, I've decided to shelve it and have a regular one instead.

Ash: I understand. Something happened that really affected you and me both today, so it may be good not to talk about it for now.

Pikachu: Pi, pika pika. ["Guess I'd agree."]

Me: Instead, we'll try to approach it indirectly. I thought of a phrase I encountered once, which would be "pursuing my true self". Apply it to us, and it becomes "pursuing our true selves".

Ash: That's a neat phrase. You know, I think it really does describe us very much.

Me: OK, so I'll start with myself. Now, you don't need me to tell you that I love Pokémon. You can see it right now here.

Ash: That's very true. Your taking the time to talk with me-

Pikachu: Pika! ["And me!"]

Ash: -and Pikachu makes it clear.

Me: I find that my true self lies with Pokémon. I identify with so many things about it that I do want to express as many things as possible with it - and possibly be rewarded as a result. That's in part why I sent you to places and do certain things, to pursue just that. As far as I'm concerned, Pokémon is noble, and I'd like to follow suit.

Ash: I know, and I feel the same in a way. I can't get to where I am today if it weren't for Pokémon. All my partners, from those still with me to those in different places, have helped in all my journeys, even if sometimes I wasn't very successful. I've found, even pursued, my true self with Pokémon, and part of my true self also lies with them.

Pikachu: Pi pika pika? ["What about me?"]

Ash: Of course, Pikachu is my most trusted partner, so you can say that's where much of my true self mostly lies.

Me: I wouldn't disagree, which leads us to today. I intended to pursue my true Pokémon self - by you even - and things got a little bit out of hand, as I heard.

Ash: It did. On one hand, it may have not have been the best intent to send me. But on the other hand, I think you said once that achievements don't come by themselves, so I understand. It was part of the process.

Me: As you can tell. Did you feel threatened?

Ash: I felt like I was about to get caught by your world's version of Officer Jenny.

Me: It was that serious. I suppose it was in part bad timing, unluckiness, and just poor foresight on everyone's part, including ours. So we have to apologize in some capacity.

Ash: Apologies.

Pikachu: Pi... ka. ["Apologies."]

Ash: While I did what I did, though, I met one of your friends. I heard from you that he was having problems earlier, and those seem to be related to what we're talking about.

Me: Oh, that. Let me explain. He's well-known and respected, including by us - he once assisted for an old version of your outfit - but his problem was that a lot of people look up to him like an "idol" and he seemingly doesn't deserve such an honor and all the things that go with it, like printing photo books of his character friends and then sharing that with his grateful fans.

Ash: It's funny how your friend is considered like that but he denies it, while we're also well-known and respected, but nobody considers us like one. What if you printed a photo book of you sending me?

Me: That is an excellent idea that I've wanted to execute with your help for a long time, but it just hasn't happened yet. I may have to tug on the heartstrings of some people in order to make things happen with you and certainly Pikachu.

Pikachu: Pika! ["Sure!"]

Ash: The problem was his "pursuing his true self", wasn't it?

Me: You could call it that, sure. So maybe sometimes there are problems with the process. But I and we should be able to solve them all.

Ash: It's like we're all within a maze of links.

Me: But within that, we continue living regardless of who we meet.

Ash: And we try to get to know the "sea" of their minds, the unconscious.

Me: And more importantly, we search for hearts and pursue our true selves.

Pikachu: Pi pika chu, pika chu! ["That sounds familiar!"]

Me: I think we might break into a song any time now.

One year ago: There's a Time and Place

Two years ago: Chaos and Darkness

Three years ago: Singular vs. Multiple Focus Legendaries

Four years ago: I Don't Want to Miss a Thing