Well, looks like it's confession time. Alas, I fear I am way beyond mere fanboy at this stage.

I'm starting to have this recurring dream...

pokemon13rk

I'm in a basement room of a church. All of the chairs are arranged in a circle and I'm standing up in front of one of them. Around me are people of all ages, mostly younger however. I feel suddenly very old at 42 years of age.

I open my mouth to speak and am surprised at what comes out: "Hi. My name is Aaron and I'm a Pokeholic."

I wake up to the music of my Pokemon game, waiting for me from when I drifted off to sleep.

Many people are probably wondering how I got here if you haven't already dismissed me as a raving lunatic. Okay, fair enough. But here me out first, then you can call the guys with those nice white jackets with the arms that button in the back.

Well, it started off innocently enough. My son caught the Pokemon bug.

Read the rest of this entry ....

 

pokemon

It all started with the trading card game.

Being the dutiful father, I brought him his first Starter Deck.

After a little while of going trying to play according to the instructions, we both gave up since we were in unfamiliar territory. I never could understand how a game so popular had, in my opinion, such obtuse directions. How could people new to the game learn without having someone show them? The trading cards became collectible items and topics of endless conversations that I initially struggled to keep up with.

That was enough for awhile; however, the Pokemon video games became the next target.

I was doing due diligence as a parent and started looking into the game he was requesting. Reviews said they were very reading intensive. But, he had saved the money necessary to purchase the game used so we headed to GameStop.

It was like Christmas for him as he loaded up his first Pokemon game. But you remember how I said they are very reading intensive? Well, it's true. Some words and concepts he couldn't grasp so I was pulled in as translator.

The more he asked and the more I discovered about the game, the more intrigued I became for myself.

Learning about the various Pokemon available, how to capture them, how to battle to gain points to "train" your Pokemon made sense. Here was a more accessible way to enter the Pokemon world although he still struggled with directions from time to time. But, through sheer determination and desire, he was starting to get better at the game while reading more, needing my help less.

True, it wasn't the "classics" of literature, but reading is reading. Grasping concepts, reading comprehension and being able to follow written directions are key components of reading improvement.

But my real conversion didn't start until he hit a particularly rough spot and needed my concentrated help to figure out why he couldn't advance.

Suddenly, I wasn't just giving quick verbal instructions but spending hands-on time with the game - and found I really enjoyed it.

Walking around talking to the random characters, going on quest to deliver this item to this person in this location was all great stuff.

The battles required a great deal of planning as does managing your party of Pokemon. But there was something truly sublime about winning a battle and seeing your Pokemon level up and learn a new skill. I started to get attached to them in the same way as a beloved pet.

And yes, they all got their own names. I even get misty when "we" survive a tough battle and they learn a new skill. Or fret for their "safety" as I make all possible haste to get them back to the Pokemon Center for healing if they've been injured.

Now, I'm watching my world being invaded by all things Pokemon. Did you know there is a Pokemon version of Monopoly? Me neither but it's now on my Christmas wish list.

My computer wallpaper has changed to reflect my favorite Pokemon as has the wallpaper on my phone. I've got all the Pokemon sites on RSS feed or book marked. The release date of Pokemon games or other Pokemon related items are scheduled in my calendar. More Pokemon merchandise has started to invade our home, this time because of me.

As a rational adult with real world responsibilities, I take steps to keep it from getting completely out of hand, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I look forward to the time I've set aside to play the game.

I would have never thought I'd be saying any of this in a million years. But, the transformation is complete, I am a Pokeholic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all those like me, or if you think a loved one might be a Pokeholic, here's a handy list of all known symptoms for you.

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