Forty is the New Twenty (*Twice)!

Grand apologies for not keeping up with The Pokémon Diaries.  Being a small-time Pokémon Trainer on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with big-time responsibilities forces free-writing down to the bottom of my Things To-Do to Be the Very Best list.  So here is a quick update of what happened with my PoGO journey:  I achieved Level 40 on November 27^th at about 3:30 am. 

The grind continues as I plow steadily to get through what is apparently and affectionately designated by Hard-core PoGO Trainers as the “Level 40 Scrub Zone,” which is the range of 20 million to 99,999,999 XP.  Cheers to new reasons for continuing the enthusiasm towards Pokémon GO and let us keep encouraging each other in achieving newfound challenges!

Truth or Dragonair?

 

Infidelity appears in many forms. Simply put, it results in the breaking of trust when one deliberately keeps intimate, meaningful secrets from a romantic partner.

“What’s a matter with you?”
“Nothing.”
“I can tell something is not right. What's with your phone? Hand it over.”
“My phone?”
“Yes. Your phone…please let me see it.”
“But…why?”
“What do you have to hide?”
“Nothing…I just…ummmm...Babez, it isn’t what you think…”
“Try me… Give it here. You did it again, didn’t you? You swore that you were gonna be better…and have some self-control.”
“It WASN’T my fault though!  It just kind of...happened.”
“Hand…over…the…phone…NOW!”
“I…I’m sorry, Babez. I really am.”

Once caught, continued avoidance is never the best way to go. To repair relational trust, the best thing to do is come clean and be rigorously honest about all aspects of the relationship, including in Pokémon GO (PoGO).

Although the relationship may not be perfect, we work to establish relationship goals and define boundaries. He is a Level 40 Mystic and I am a Level 36 Instinct. We never log into each other’s account and we do not ever force personal gaming strategies upon the other. The time spent together is built on honesty and transparency, rejoicing over each other’s accomplishments, striving to provide wise counsel, and remaining loyal at all times. As iron sharpens iron, we sharpen one another.

Many say that PoGO slows down as time goes on, however, there is so much more opportunity to build depth in the game. Catching International Regionals may be out of the question for both of us, but in the meantime, we continue working to grind for Gym Badge Experience, obtain the last five medals, and create new shared challenges – like finding a Pokémon with the lowest IV or collecting the most 100% IV Pokémon. 

The most important of all our relationship goals is to finish the requirements for the Dragon Tamer…together, at the same time. The only way to accomplish this is to check in with each other at the end of the day. The PoGO PLUS is a blessing and a curse! I can assure you, breaking promises is never intentional. I mean, what are the chances of catching TWO Dratini with only regular balls thrown by the PoGO PLUS while driving? Oh, my days! As of this moment, I will be sleeping in the lair of Houndoom without my smartphone until he catches up and we are both at 135 Dragon-type Pokémon.

This extreme sense of commitment may edge some relationships to the end; on the contrary, PoGO teaches us to be better individuals and inspires us to be the best there ever was in all facets of our relationship. As good Pokémon Trainers, we understand that real communication is integral to healthy relationships. It takes continued focus and commitment to get it all. Each day we accept new challenges and continue grinding to obtain our own personal Gold Medals for Honesty, Trust, Acceptance, Responsibility, Humor, Laughter, Realistic Expectations, Forgiveness, Love, and Respect. The Grind is certainly real and worthwhile over the longhaul in this PoGO Life.

Is There a Chansey You'll Go Out With Me? A Look at How Pokémon GO Can Improve or Ruin Relationships

Over a year ago, I stated Pokémon GO (PoGO) is one of the best apps for encouraging players to get out of the house and explore with friends.  Although many polls blame Niantic for ruining relationships, I personally found that not all is lost with love in PoGO.  I mean, how can you deny Pokémon charm as sweet and clever like this:

“I wanted to Raichu a message to say hunting Pokémon with you was the best! Let's GO do it again soon!"

From what I have seen, Sweethearts of PoGO experience a stronger and healthier bond. Couples get out more, breathe the fresh air, and socialize with strangers around lured PokéStops.

The very best of relationships, like none other ever was, are those who find the balance between their shared virtual interest.  This is an awesome opportunity to raise your PoGO relationship up to the next Level.  For example, take your PokéDate to a nearby market, grab a nice simple meal, and picnic in the park.  It is a great way to take a break, eat a snack, then go Pokémon hunt some more.  Eventually, you will find that a romantic walk through the park holds a whole new meaning.

Pokémon Go can strengthen relationships, build trust, and provide an opportunity for adventure!  The game itself puts a strong emphasis on good sportsmanship and respect for others.  If a relationship can make it through the PoGO phase, then it can make it through anything.

Appraising and Evaluating Your Team

     Niantic Labs created this Appraisal feature to find out approximate CP and IV values within Pokémon Go so players don't need to leave the game to open a third-party app.  Personally, I think this is fantastic!  Each Team Leader will have their own set of phrases, which fall into four categories: Great, Good, Decent, and Poor. 

     Appraisals tell you which of its HP, Attack, and Defense stat the Pokémon performs well...of four categories. Remember that IVs each rank out of 15. Although a Pokémon could rank 'Great' overall, it could then suffer in one of the three stats or move sets that make a Pokémon IV% drop.

     The Appraisal is a very handy way to know at a glance whether you have a 'Great' Pokémon on your hands.  Once you learn the Appraisal for your team, you'll notice these phrases are specific enough to give you a good feel for the Pokémon's strengths.  If it is vague to you, then you should do more research before investing your Stardust and Candy.  Remember, the overall 'Great' phrase means it's between 82% and 100% of its potential!

     Generally, most Trainers evolve the high-IV Pokémon before spending Stardust to Power Up and increase its Level.  EACH time a Pokémon evolves its move set IS randomized, although IVs stay the same.  Consider that you may have a perfect Snorlax, but it is possibly for it to have crappy move sets that spoil all the time and work you put into it.

Reformulate Your Game Strategy

Don't worry about Combat Power (CP).  Don't worry about only catching what you consider uninteresting Pokémon.  Don't worry those players who live near Poké Stops and always have more resources than you.  Take your time playing and read up on game strategies.  It takes skill and lots of preparation to compete.  Become familiar with the different types of Pokémon and learn what their strengths and weaknesses are.  Assimilate move sets combinations and discover how they make your Pokémon special.  Combine your knowledge with a Pokémon that has fair CP and good Individual Values (IVs) to win in gyms.  Don't worry so much about losing because you need team effort to hold these gyms.  

Think about the things you gain from the game itself.  Find your joy in playing!  You're out more, exercising, exploring new places, and meeting new people!  Pokémon GO (PoGO) is like Life...and your perspective on how to approach it affect outcomes.  Robert H. Schuler noted, "Problems are not stop signs, they're guidelines."

In the real Pokémon anime, Ash Ketchum and all the other Pokémon Trainers, never caught them all.  In all honesty, the creators of the game did not intend for us to do so either, especially not within the first year.  It is like anything and everything else, we don't have to keep winning.  Keep the fun in the game and don't stop learning.

So, You Think You Can Beat a Gym Rat? [Part I]

  

Comprehending the fundamentals of Gym Training and Battles in Pokémon GO (PoGO) involves a long path of trial and error…seriously.  Like anything else in this world, a person will devote hours and hundred of thousands of Experience Points (XP) to learn a skill.  To be a great chef, stunning rock star, bold athlete, talented graphic designer, top chess player…to succeed at anything requires commitment, along with much patience and a bag full of rejuvenation supplies to keep on going.

In the Pokémon anime, individuals go out into the world to become Trainers at the age of ten.  Each one start out the same way, catch Pokémon and fighting battles with them.  During the journey, each Trainer travels to different regions developing their own strategies to be successful according to their own goals, specialties, and passions in mind.

For us, PoGO is our augmented reality (AR) game of strategy.  The key to winning is simply managing our resources.  Niantic Labs provided a basic starter guide to help familiarize players with the app, but it still lacks Beginner’s instructions.  To some, this may come as a surprise; however, I presume the reason is that PoGO has a huge social factor which means more engaging elements, challenges, and interaction with others.

PoGO is all about exploring and building.  At Level 25 and an incomplete Pokédex, I see this game has much more potential than just "collecting them all".  Creating a diverse team of Pokémon, powering them up, training, and capturing gyms requires so much of a true Pokémon Trainer. 

I hope this gives a little more perspective on PoGO.  Do you want to be a Pokémon collector?  Do you want to be a Pokémon Trainer?  Alternatively, do you just want to explore and study Pokémon?  It is something to think about because as Professor Oak states in mentorships, “Being a good trainer is a long and complicated process which involves working with each individual Pokémon.”  

Not all Pokémon are created equal; in order to win Battles, Trainers need to learn everything there is about each species.  If it sounds overwhelming and complex, it really is.  PoGO allows Trainers to work towards goals that are compelling, let your Pokémon inspire you to take it further and not quit when things get hard.

Level UP...and Pure Chill

Nine and a half weeks since my very first Poké Diary entry, I finally acquired 710,000 Experience Points (XP).  Everything happened right at that moment – my bag reached its limit at the last Poké Stop, "Kadabra found a candy", my 10-km egg hatched, my Avatar hit the next "Level UP!"…and then I realized at that moment…contentment.

It is the middle of the fall semester.  There is an overload of studying, college projects, full-time work, and familial responsibilities.  I am nowhere near completing my Pokédex or close to Level 30, and Hawai'i still has no access to any regional-locked Pokémon.  However, as the messaged hovered on my screen, “Level up! 25!”  I just stood there, calm, controlled, and at total peace.  Fifteen hours later, I still am not upset about hatching a Pinsir from a 10-km with an Individual Value (IV) of 77.8%.

I shared the news with my close network of Pokémon GO (PoGO) Buddies and we celebrated each of our Trainer accomplishments for the day.  My biggest reward since I began my PoGO adventure is not receiving an overflowing bag full of goodies: 25 Ultra Balls, 20 Max Potions, 15 Revives, 15 Razz Berries, an Incense, a Lucky Egg, another Egg Incubator, and Lure Module; but having such a diverse group of Buddies to share real-life adventures through our virtual fun.

As I continue counting down: T-minus seven weeks until the last final exam for the fall, I am confident all will be well as I continue to work the Black Hole in American society.   Staying afloat in Life’s Abyss comes not from my own resistance, perseverance, or accomplishments, but experiencing moments of positive interaction and growing relationships of people who continue give support and inspire one another each day.  Collaborating and working through conflicts leads to positive experiences for everyone.  There is something to gamified learning and applying to real-life situations.  We benefit greatly and develop into the very best of ourselves by combining ideas and insights from one another.