I am coming out of my self-imposed isolation momentarily because I am tired of sitting in front of my computer every morning at 5:30AM and seeing the word count icon at the bottom of my computer not change. Hasn’t changed in about a week, because I am stuck. My book is not moving along as I had hoped, because of some conflicting research, self-doubt and apprehension about not stepping on certain people’s toes. So it is with great glee that I can actually type about something I know a little about.
And that is …Pokemon Go.
About 2 weeks ago, my oldest came home and said he had found the most awesome game EVER. He then began to show me how a Pidgie was sitting on the kitchen counter in the AR (Augmented Reality) mode of Pokemon Go. I was hooked. Since then we have had Veronats in the bathroom and my husband (who also is now an avid player of Pokemon) caught a Bulbosaur on the patio table (I was green with envy). Of course, since I have become savvier with the game, I no longer use the AR mode, I am told that is just for newbies.
Is the game all that bad? Not at all. I think it is brilliant!!!
Sure, there are people flinging themselves off of cliffs, while in pursuit of an elusive Pokemon, other people finding dead bodies, people getting shot trespassing on the properties of gun-wielding homeowners while Pokemon hunting, and distracted drivers crashing into police cars but as with anything we do, some common sense must be involved.
I play the game. I watch where I am going. I do not go onto people’s properties. I do not go into dicey neighborhoods in the middle of the night, because a legendary Pokemon is purported to be nearby (well I did one time, but I was in my car and with my huge strapping boys and it wasn’t really that questionable a neighborhood) and I caught an Exeggutor with an amazing Combat Power. And I certainly do not play the game while driving ( well except when I am trying to hatch my Pokemon eggs – we will drive through our neighborhood really slowly at night in hopes that it adds kilometers to our incubating eggs – but it doesn’t seem to really work).
What are some of the benefits of Pokemon?
People are out and about. People are everywhere, catching little Pokemon. It is great to see. I see people walking on the sidewalks, in the parks, sitting on benches by Poke Stops with their lure modules on, waiting for Pokemon. I have met so many fascinating individuals because of Pokemon. My husband and I went to a park last weekend (we haven’t been to a park since the kids were little) and we sat on a bench, talked with people passing by and it was really lovely. Oh, and yes I caught my first Pikachu there. My husband actually wants go back to the park this weekend with a picnic, so we can catch more Pokemon. I know, it all sounds a bit nerdy, but I think it is great. Beats the heck out of sitting at home, watching the Sci-Fi channel all weekend.
The children’s hospital, where I work is brimming with Poke Stops. My office is situated between two of them (which is great for picking up Poke balls, if my supply is running low). But I have noticed a most amazing thing about this whole Pokemon craze. The patients of our hospital are motivated to get up and out of their beds just so they can go Pokemon hunting. One of the Physical Therapists at work thinks it is the best thing ever to encourage the patients to walk, just say “Let’s go Pokemon hunting.” And the kids are out of their beds like a shot and in the halls searching for Pokemon. How great is that?
And when you tell an otherwise surly teenager you are a Pokemon Go player, well suddenly he has lots to tell you about the Pokemon he has caught, the level he has reached and the conversation leads to which Pokemon is his favorite, which is his strongest. I tell them I am a Level 18, and I have battled in the Poke Gyms (I won 4 out of 5 battles, and didn’t take the gym – but at least I tried) and suddenly I am just his peer, and not a provider who is just like every other boring adult he encounters on a daily basis. I am a Pokemon hunter, and proud of it.
So for all of the elitists and the intellectuals out there, who look down their noses at this gaming craze, there are some real benefits to this game. Of course, there are always going to be the idiots that make the news, because of some ridiculously stupid thing they do while playing the game, but maybe for once, let’s focus on the good and not the bad.
Enough said. I have to go, there is a Charmander nearby.
Photo credits:
wfaa.com
gamezone.com
reddit.com
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Categories: Modern Living, Society
I’m so glad you explained how Pokemon Go works. I haven’t tried it. Not because I’m looking down my nose at it, but because I just got my first smart phone. I’m barely able to stand still and text, let alone play a game that requires movement! How wonderful that Pokemon Go connects the generations and is useful in getting hospital patients up & moving. Interesting. [Also, nice to “see” you again. Missed you.]
Nice to see you as well. Hope you are having a lovely summer. I can’t believe the kids are getting ready to back to school in another 2 or 3 weeks, I was really bummed when I saw the school supplies out in Target the other day. I am not very good at walking and texting, so I have to stand still to catch the Pokémon, but I do eventually catch them. Must have them all. At our house it is not “how was your day?” anymore, but “Did you catch any Pokémon today”. We are admittedly just a houseful of gaming nerds.
I’m like Ally 🙂 I suspect I might make more effort when kids are older… As to feeling stuck, check out one of the meditations I do on Thursdays. It might help.
I think I may have figured it out – I always try and make things so much complicated then they really need to be. Thanks for the advice.
Pleasure 🙂
I am loving Pokemon Go, too! I told my husband after our dinner (for date night tonight) that I want to go walking around our little downtown, something I’ve never even thought about before. Good to see you posting!
Ooo I hope you catch lots of Pokémon, and have a wonderful dinner as well. Hope all is well with your family, and say Hello to the kids for me!!!
I did get a couple of new ones! We’re all planning out the last two weeks before school starts back. Happened too fast 🙁 Will do!
I know – the summer just flew by. I can’t believe school will be starting again soon. Only good thing is we are bit a closer to this incessant heat being over. It was 114 degrees yesterday. That’s nuts!!!!!
Oh lord! It’s routinely been upper 90s here, with real feel of about 10 degrees higher. I absolutely hate it!
Hey SD! Glad to see you-if only for a minute! Sounds like you’ve found a way to have a lot of fun. Maybe this little activity will help get your ideas flowing for the book; stranger things have happened 🙂
My son plays it on his way to work. He says that he only looks for them if they are on his direct path. He’ll be home before going back to school in the fall so-who knows- I might be writing a freaking Pokemon post! LOL!
I have always been somewhat of a gaming nerd, not like a World of Warcraft addict, but I do love video games, mostly because those are what my boys were interested in. I have had a great deal of fun with this game. Can’t wait to see your Pokémon post!!!!!! Nice to see you!!! I miss my blogging friends!!!!
I told my husband we need to start playing “as a date night” at the park too.
Yes, you should do it – I know it seems a bit silly, but it sure is fun. Makes even the humdrum errands of the weekend a bit more exciting when you catch a great Pokémon at Whole Foods or Target.
I’ll be the one that walks into a wall. OW. I’ll need my own body guard.
My elder son has Pokemon Go now. He showed it to me the other day. Sadly, there were no pokemon in our living room and in any case I wasn’t entirely sure what was going on. He loves it, though, so I believe you when you say its fun. 🙂
You should try it. It makes even the most mundane things a bit more exciting. You never know where the Pokémon might show up.
I admit that I haven’t tried this, although I am a Pokémon fan, LOL – my son used to collect the cards, and he played it on his GameBoy…I’m pretty certain that he’s doing the ‘Pokémon Go’ thing!
I don’t trust apps, and don’t live in the city, so I think that Pokémon would be few and far between, out here on the coast!
😉
I hear Los Angeles and San Francisco are the hotspots, teaming with Pokemon and Poke stops.
It really is a brilliant game that intertwines the real world with the gaming world! Absolutely brilliant!
I agree completely. I love this game. I am 20,000 XP from Level 23. It is great being a nerd in this day and age.
I really enjoyed playing it in Ocean City. I have been there countless times and never walked more than two blocks away from my hotel unless it was to go to a specific restaurant. I saw so much because of this game. Unfortunately I can’t find any Pokemon at home and my walks don’t count for the eggs because it can’t ever find gps near my home. I am glad the patients are motivated to walk.
Hi Manee, hope all is with you. We are always going out Poke hunting – it even makes grocery shopping a little less mundane. I caught a Charmander at the grocery store the other day.
Glad to see a positive post on Pokemon Go. I also think it is pretty brilliant. My two sons love it, especially the oldest …who is 29! Hey, if this motivates kids who otherwise never go outside, to get up and go outside, then I’m all for it! Of course mine play sports so they get plenty of fresh air …but still. Be mindful of the no trespassing signs etc and get out there and play! 😉
Pop I love Pokémon. I am on Level 26, my husband is on Level 31. We have really enjoyed playing the game, it even makes the weekly chore of grocery shopping a little more enjoyable.