Pokemon Go on my Tablet

Pokemon Go is an AR app recently released for iOS and Android that's causing quite a stir among Pokemon fans and newbies alike.  The app uses the GPS and pedometer on a smart device to dictate where Pokemon are located and the player swipe his or her screen to launch a Pokeball to try and catch a Pokemon.  The game is limited to the original 151 Pokemon, but Niantic promises subsequent generations in later updates.

I was part of the beta testing last month.  I don't have a smartphone, but I do have an Android tablet and was able to give the app a spin and then play the full version when it came out.  Being able to catch a Pokemon on my smart device brought back the same thrills I felt as a middle schooler catching Pokemon on my copy of Pokemon Blue back in the day.  To the point, I felt a bit sheepish when I realied that I couldn't hold the B button and tap A to try and increase my chances of a successful catch.

One day, I took out the trash and decided to see what kind of Pokemon I might see.  So with garbage bag in one hand and tablet in the other, I headed out on a mini adventure.  However, as soon as I got to my dumpster, I was out of my WiFi network's range.  Being on a tablet as opposed to a smartphone, unfortunately, has a huge catch: The game depends on a constant source of data in order to keep track of where you are and what Pokemon you might see.  Long story short: no data (WiFi or otherwise), no signal, no Pokemon.

Most of my Pokemon catching is either here at home or at public WiFi spots (McDonalds, et cetera), so my level progression has been very slow.  All the same, I still think this is a great app.  One of the things the game encourages players to do is go out and explore their area, discovering Pokestops.  These are places where players can pick up items, but in real life, they are public buildings, art institutions, et cetera.  Just sitting from my apartment, I've learned about a bunch of little public works of art that I would have never discovered on my own.  Being able to catch Pokemon is a bonus for me.

Pokemon Go on the tablet loses a lot of its appeal (exploration, et cetera) when you're anchored to a WiFi connection.  All the same, I am enjoying my time playing Pokemon on my tablet and learning about the place I've called home for seven years.  When Miyamoto developed Zelda, he was inspired by his time exploring his boyhood home and looking for secrets (Zelda has been an inspiration for me to go out and explore the world).  I'm planning on getting a smartphone in the next month or so.  I'll be able to give Pokemon Go a worthwhile spin when that happens and discover more of the unique side of Eugene.  :)

Fell Off The Wagon and Getting Back On

Not going to lie, I didn't do my 5BX exercises.  Not for a day or a week...but almost an entire month.  My last entry in my Google Sheet was June 6th.  Didn't even record a run for that day.  I hate to think what my mile run time looks like now.  I think I stopped exercising because my knee was hurting one day and then my foot the other.  While I did hurt my foot (at a rehearsal, I think), I used that as a crutch to indulge laziness for the rest of the time.  Once in a while, I'd tell myself, "I should go running" but then I don't.  All the same, I'm making a stand today and going to try and get back on the wagon.  I've set up a separate Google Sheet for catching up and recording my new results.  I plan to do Chart 3 of 5BX everyday, aiming for level I stopped at (D+).  I believe consistency is key to being in good shape, that I can consistently run a mile in a set amount of time if the need arose (my best when I was doing 5BX every day was 7:55).  When I can hit my marks five days in a row, I'll jump back on the regular 5BX sheet and continue.

I can do this.  I know I can...  Wish me luck.

UPDATE: I did my exercised this morning and it turned out mostly well.  The calisthenics all would have passed at the D+ level.  I even threw in a one minute plank at the very end.  The only exercise that didn't pass was running (clocked in at 9:09.  The "goal" is 8:45).  Then again, from what I understand, cardio endurance will go before muscular endurance after a substantial lapse in actiivity.  However, it's also easier to bring back up to par than muscular endurance.  I will say one thing about the run though, my right knee started hurting halfway through the third lap.  When I first started running this year (before I got it organized with the 5BX program), my knee would start hurting about three quarters of the way through my mile.  However, doing those half-miles in Chart 1 helped condition my legs to run the mile, so I think I just need to recondition my knee.

So yeah, everything is good.  Just need to work on running...and the only way to get better at that is to go running.  :)