Yup, its time for my own obligatory post on Pokemon Go! Since the nostalgia has hit maximum levels the last few years, it was only a matter of time before Nintendo and Pokemon jumped on the bandwagon. While I enjoy the mibile game, despite its glitches, I do have some helpful tips for my beloved franchise. I won't, though, be mentioning the server errors or any of the bugs, since those go without saying. Here are 5 things I think need to happen to keep this game alive.
1. Better battle system- 1 vs 1 real time battles at least
Need I say more? This needs to happen and if it doesn't Gamefreak and Nintendo really are self-sabotaging.
2. More Pokemon...But maybe not all of them.
Here me out: I think starting with the original 151 was definitely the right move, and the only practical one to get the gen 1-ers on board, but having all 721 eventually available in the game just won't work. A) People will get bored by generation 3 B) way....tooo...much...data...
A better idea may be to do special hoards of rare Pokemon from other generations. Maybe keep with releasing large chunks of the most popular, but ALL of them just seems crazy, especially with no other game features to keep people invested. Plus, this already happens in the main series games- some Pokemon can only be acquired though paying for Pokemon Bank or by special releases from Gamestop or wifi.
3. Pokemon Amie or another way to interact with your 'Mons.
I've been telling people since X and Y came out that Pokemon Amie would make a GREAT phone game. Catch Mon, pet Mon, feed Mon, play mini games to earn its love and smiles. This would be an excellent way to expand Pokemon Go and to keep people emotionally invested. Or just make it a separate game. I'm good either way.
4. Trading over Mons from the main games via wifi for training and feels- aka Gen 4 pedometer
Now, this one is a bit of a stretch even for me, since it makes things incredibly messy for both the main games and the basic idea of Go, but hey, it could work. I enjoyed having the ability to walk around with my favorite Pokemon clipped onto my bag or belt when Gen 4 came out and to be honest, the Pokemon Go Plus band totally reminds me of it!
5. An end to these kinds of posts
Haha, kidding! Last year did it better though, imo.
I'd really like Gamefreak and Niantic to update the distribution of Pokemon. Seriously, there is nothing near me and nothing ever spawns. I feel like i'm lost in some desert in a Spaghetti western or something...
I know other people feel my pain on this one. I love Pidgeot and all, but please make other things more common for randomly popping up. Please!!!!
Ah, Monty Python. So many fond memories of random happenstances. I've been a fan of the Pythons since high school English class. I'm still not sure why we watched Holy Grail instead of read a book, but hey, I loved it and went on to watch all of Flying Circus and the three movies. So now, for your enjoyment and mine, here are my top 5 Monty Python Moments!
5.) The Ministry of Silly Walks- Not sure what's funnier, the walks or the fact there is a government agency for them.
4.) The Cheese Shop Sketch- So...much...cheese...
3.) The Latin Lesson AND The Taunting Frenchmen....I couldn't decide between my love of stereotypes or history jokes.....sorry...
2.) The Spanish Inquisition- I think everyone was expecting this gem on the list.
1.) Philosophers' Soccer (Football)- Not sure why, but I just love this sketch.
There they are, my top 5 Monty Python Moment! Some honorable mentions include the Killer Rabbit, the Dead Parrot, and the rest of the Monty Python corpus.
So, what are your favorite sketches? Leave a comment below and, as always, subscribe and share if you likey~
* Youtube is God today. Thanks for the videos! Also, R.I.P Graham Chapman :'( *
As Geek and Nerds, we have all inevitably come across the heartbreak that is a cancelled series. Star Trek TOS, every other Star Trek Series, Farscape, and as Stephen Colbert nicely sums up-
Yup, We've all been there. Many of my top 5 have suffered from it, and many of my favorite that didn't make the list. And in honor of my favorite Sci-fi universe, the Stargate universe, I will now give it the honor it deserves.
*SPOILERS*
Oh, Stargate, how I loved you. We spent over 10 years together, got through 3 different series, and saw the creation of 3 straight-to-dvd movies. All for it to come crashing down when MGM went bankrupt and the SCI-FI SYFY network "re branded" itself. The movie to finish off SG-1- cancelled. The movie that was destined to wrap up Stargate Atlantis- cancelled. Stargate Universe- cancelled. So many questions left unanswered: Will Carter and O'Neill ever end up together? What happened to Todd the wraith? What did the world think of Atlantis landing in San Francisco bay? What the heck was Universe about? Is Eli alive????
(I love you, Eli!!!)
Alas, the future looks grim for Gaters. Especially with the rumors of a complete reboot, starting off where the original movie began. I for one think that casting aside the mythos that the Series' writers and producers worked to meticulously to create is a HUGE mistake and will alienate much of the fanbase. The charm of the t.v. shows will be lost to a big-screen remake. It won't be the same Stargate that we know and love. So, Sorry SYFY, i do not approve!
You killed it, don't just pawn it off on someone else ot make a quick buck you so-called....ehhem....sorry, I was starting to rant. This is about showing my love, though, not me anger at the SYFY network.
Now, how do I describe the main plot of Stargate and why its awesome? Colonel, I leave it to you-
Yup, that about sums it up. The great thing about Stargate was its quirkyness. It could be as modestly funny as Star Trek TNG, and as dramatic as Battlestar Galactica. Heck, it even made fun of itself on multiple occasions. For example, Episode 200. Just google some clips. Its amazing. Its funny. It mentions the Furlings never actually showing up despite being uber important to the mythology of the show. Its also spoofs Star Trek AND Farscape, which was easy cause of Ben Browder and Claudia Black being on both shows. So goooood~
Another great reason to love Stargate? Great strong female characters. Now, I'm not saying that Sci-fi tends to over shadow female characters sometimes, but it does happen. Stargate, though, started off its run with a main female cast member being a bad ass mofo. May I introduce you to Brigadier General (originally a captain) Samantha Carter. AstroPhysicist, engineer, fighter pilot, sun-exploder. She p'wned so many bad guys and was so smart. She also got her fair share of romance, but it didn't overshadow her goals and duties. Such a great role model for 10 year old Oshawott here.
Sure, Star Trek has Janeway and Crusher and, um, T'Pol? But for the mid 1990's Carter was special and she deserves more credit than she gets in the sci-fi universe. Then you have Vala, Wier,Keller. All Great. I do admit the women on Universe were a little needy...but hey, they can't all be great.
Stargate was also on t.v. for an incredibly long amount of time, 1994-2009. That's a loooong time, right up there with Star Trek. It wasn't just quantity over quality, though. Each series stuck it out and kept on providing the stuff Gaters loved, even amongst cast changes and budget problems. The producers and writers loved their fans and kept spewing out quality material.
I do concede that near the end of SG-1, the show was getting kitchy and cliche'd. The Ori were pretty bad....and not in the good way for villains. AND that Universegot off to a rough start. The comparisons to Battlestar Galactica and the major changes to the usual Stargate storyline did alienate some fans. But right at the end, those last few episode. It started to shine. Major character growth, major sadness. Major cancellation.
In the end, us Gaters can only make petitions and hope that the Stargate we know and love will return through the wormhole to us one day. Until then, we have the reruns to keep us company and remind us of our love. Who knows. Star Trek came back with a vengeance multiple times, and the Browncoats got the Firefly movie Serenity. Fandoms are powerful and eventually get shit done.
Until then.....
*All stuff from the internetz, like pinterest and tumblr. Thanks dudes, much appreciated*
Ok, Ok, stop shouting. This is a delicate subject, I know. But bear with me and all will be fine! As a warning this list is just an opinion that I've mused over for a while. Also, I have experience with these different fandoms, so it isn't just me listing off my favorites. I took many things into consideration besides my persoanl favorite series or books. Honestly, some of my favorite didn't even make the list. Why can't you be more popular Harry Dresden????
Kidding, kidding. I've met Dresden Files fans and they are awesome! Sadly, many other people don't know what I talk about when I reference the series...Jerks...Anyways, for this list I looked at the popularity of the fandom, how the fans are, quality of the fandom material, and then a little of my own opinion.
#5............Firefly
Yes, Firefly. Such a short-lived piece of science fiction art. The combination between sci-fi and western was brilliant and Joss Whedon did an awesome job of making it flow together seamlessly. Hear that, Cowboys vs. Aliens? huh, huh, huh???
Yeah, didn't think so.....You guys should be sacked!
Along with a great story came great acting, and along with that came a great group of fans. Firefly fans, the Browncoats, have to be the most dedicated group among the fans I'm discussing here. Sorry Trekkies/Trekkers, I still love you! However, Firefly's one big drawback is that it ended so quickly. Sure, there was a movie and a comic book, but so much more great t.v. could have happened! Thanks, network producers....always killing the good stuff. The fact that the future looks bleak for a resurrection (and I really hate to say it, I'll wait for you Wash!), is the reason Firefly comes in at #5, but the optimism and general awesomeness of the fans is why it gets here. Never forget, Browncoats, never forget!!!
#4...........Star Trek/ Star Wars
Alright, you two, listen up and play nice! I know lumping these two together is risky business, but I feel that it needs to be done. Both series and fandoms have a lot in common: Long lasting and reoccurring forms of media, crazy influential on popular culture, great Con presence, awesome internet memes, dedicated fans. All great things. Which is why I personally have a hard time picking between the two as a whole. My only reservation is that while dedicated, the fans can get a little...umm....defensive? Especially in regards to each other. I've been in so many arguments over which is better and sometimes it can get nasty.
Then there is the battlegrounds amongst the fandoms themelves! Trekkies or trekkers, kirk or Picard, original trilogy or new trilogy, Pro-Jar Jar or kill Jar Jar. I've had stuff thrown at me by fans that didn't agree with my views, even though we both love the same series! Maybe I'm just too much of a non-combative person, and please don't think that I'm saying that I hate these series. I've seen all the movies for both. Even the bad ones. I've seen all the episodes for every series. Just, take a page from the Browncoats and make love not war!
See? We can laugh at our inside jokes together!
#3.....Harry Potter
"Wwwwwhat? Only #3? Blasphemy!" You may be shouting at your screen as you report me for inappropriate behavior. Again, take a seat, take a deep breathe and hear me out. I love Harry Potter. It was the series that made me love reading. It makes me laugh, makes me cry, along with millions of other people in the 16-30 age range. It made being geeky and reading for fun cool things. I mean, come on, who doesn't want to be sorted by the sorting? cough * go Ravenclaw * cough
Even (most) of the movies are great. Seeing Hermoine punch Draco in the face in Prisoner of Azkaban? Priceless. Plus, the Harry Potter musical.
(I love you Joe Walker <3)
The fans are still so Potter crazy that they made 3 musicals, an amusement park, and even invented REAL LIFE QUIDDITCH. Which, having played (once) and watched numerous times, is hard core crazy.
The cons you may be asking? Besides getting beamed in the face by a quaffle, not much. I think the only thing that prevented Harry Potter from being higher on the list is that J.K Rowling has the potential to do so much more in its universe. But isn't. And its driving the fans crazy. She just keeps releasing extra little tidbits to moist our appetites. I understand how that she might want to branch out and write different kinds of novels, which have been great too, but please. Stop releasing extra spoilers. Just write. It doesn't have to be about Harry's kids, or the first Order of the Phoenix. It can be a really gritty, human murder mystery based in Timbuktu for all I care. Why make such an in-depth world and not venture back in? The potential! In summary: I feel you Potter fans, we need more Potterverse!
#2..........Middle Earth/ Lord of the Rings
Not all those who wander are lost, especially when it comes to reading some good old fashion Tolkien. Despite this blog's relative youth, I'm sure my love for LOTR has shone through. There's such something about being in the LOTR fandom that just makes me giddy inside. Be it fangirling over smexy actors
Or laughing over the ridiculous stuff I find on the internet
(party on, Thranduil, party on)
I just love it. The fans too. I've never met a Tolkien fan I didn't like. Of course, finding fans of the books, like real, hardcore, Similarion-reading fans ( not just those who read the Hobbit for school), is a rarer sight. From what I've seen at movie premieres and at the random Con, many became fans because the LOTR movies came out when they were in the middle school/high school age and fell in love with the awesome. And lets face it, Tolkien's writing is like a early to mid 20th century British guy's writing. Its slow and meticulous. It takes the man around 30 pages (17 years!) for Frodo to even do anything in Fellowship. Oh well, it is high fantasy, and no one can say that the man couldn't do world building. Elvish anyone? Real language. People speak it. I've met them.
All in all, Middle earth and its fandom is High Fantasy at its best. Classy, Epic, and not afraid to kill people (Boromir forever!!!!). If you like the movies I definitely recommend powering through the books. They start slow, but then blow. Your. Mind.
AND FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#1..............Doctor Who
In reality, there isn't much that separates any of the top 5. They were all super close. Heh, I guess that's what happens when a fangirl tries to choose. Back on topic! Why is the Doctor on the top of this list? Honestly I'm not quite sure. Real talk: I'm a lapsed Whovian. I watched all of 9, only saw bits of 10, and most of 11 (Saw none of the first 8, but how many of us have really seen EVERY episode?). But whenever I do stumble upon the Doctor and his antics, I can't help but watch. Its funny, its heartbreaking.
Hear that? Its my heart breaking into a million little pieces.
Doctor who is just one of those shows that has been pleasing people for generations, and you don't have to watch every episode to follow along. Its all about time travel anyway, pretend the stuff you missed hasn't happened yet. Also, the fans are awesomely nerdy and, at least from those I've met at Cons, so freaking friendly.
9, 10, River Song, another 4, and a few other Doctors missed out on this pic. The other 4 gave us all Jelly babies. Yum! Word of advice: if you go to a Con dressed at a Doctor Who character/object, you will get so much love! I think the reason the Whovians won out on this one is because of this openness. Be it the t.v. show or the fans, you can allonsys any time and you'll get along swimmingly. You don't have to read 7 books, watch 5 different t.v. series, or mourn its cancellation.Easy access fandom. Even when a new Doctor gets announced and the haters appear from the shadows, every one (as a whole) tends to stick around and love the Doctor.
As I said, though, this list is all just my opinion, and I even left our some fandoms that I love to pieces (Stargate will rise again from the burning ashes that are the SYFY network's taste in television). Even the top 5 are all pretty equal to me, I'm a multi-purpose geek, so sue me.
Let me know what your favorite fandoms are in the comments, or just troll me, whatevs.
*All images/videos come from more creative and talented people on the interwebz, mostly Pinterest people. Pinterest for life!*
