This past week saw millions of Pokemon GO trainers (henceforth refered to as Trainers) all across the country get outside and hunt for raids. Specifically to catch legendary Pokemon. Thankfully, they extended the event through the end of the month of July, with the double XP (experience), halved distances on eggs, and other bonuses going through this previous Thursday.
Unfortunately, some of us were not able to take part in the full experience that was Pokemon Fest. I found myself sitting in Philz the Friday before the main event, getting texts from riends who wanted to meet up at our local park and raid for Articunos and Lugias. I was sad because I wanted to go and have fun with them, but work dictated I be somewhere else entirely.
So what do you do? Go to work, spin the same pokestops throughout the day, and hope no one notices that you have yet to catch a legendary.
Luckily, the Wednesday before the end of the bonuses found my day off packed with walks, raids, and friends. I still don’t have a legendary (yet) but I see plenty of raids on a daily basis, and know I’ll catch one soon. In the words of George Michael, “You gotta have faith!”
So true, George, so true.
On the way home from a particularly fruitful (and stepful) walk, my friends and I beat some gyms only to have our Pokemon (a particularly buff Blissey from me, might I add) handed back to us not even half an hour later. As soon as we saw the iconic “Your Pokemon has fought hard and has returned to you!” appear across the top of our phone screens, my friend said something that stuck with me.
Why can’t they have the courtesy to give me the full nine hours?
It’s a valid question, Trainers. Why not give someone a full nine hours at a gym? We’re all hoping to cash in on this vastly improved pokecoin system, but why do so at the expence of other Trainers’ enjoyment? This only adds fuel to the fued fire and only serves to divide us. We’re all trying to catch them all and become the very best like no one ever was. Why not let someone else enjoy the fruits of their labor and get their coins?
This Pokemon Fest has been a lot of fun, and I was glad to get some quality out-of-doors time with my friends. But there’s a dark side to some of these events. Gym fueds, shouting matches, some drive-bys (still not sure if this was just some bros having a party night or Pokemon related), and resentment among team members. Am I sad I didn’t get that Articuno when my friends did? Yes. But I’m also happy for them.
Hopefully I can take my place among them as a proud Articuno or Lugia owner someday.
Until then, fellow Trainers, go forth! Travel across the land, searching far and wide.
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