There's a Venomoth in my Kitchen

[Solly Mack]

Venomoth



It was hovering around the coffee pot.


I play Pokemon Go and I like it. I enjoy walking, and I have to walk my fur-babies anyway, so why not catch a few PokeCritters along the way? (Then I got hooked)

I am meeting a lot of people, and after the initial sly grins between consenting adults caught in the act of cheering the damn near impossible feat of capturing a 256 CP (combat points) wild Pidgey, everyone is happy and pleased with themselves and each other.

So far, I've only encountered 3 children while on the hunt. I got great tips from them. I know jack-all about Pokemon but I am learning, and the youngest hunters have been the best teachers.

Yes, I make midnight runs to the nearest Pokestop because the pink confetti is calling to me. Yes, I spend time going back and forth between the same 3 Pokestops so I can collect balls and assorted other goodies.

Yes, I do make hissing sounds of frustration when the Pokemon I'm trying to capture escapes me for the third time. Damn thing ate my Razz Berry and still wouldn't stay inside the ball.

I am the proud parent of a recently hatched 346 CP Tauros and a 364 CP Magmar. Just the latest in my hatched collection. I have more eggs incubating, and I get excited when the egg/Oh? screen pops up to let me know they're hatching.

The sound of a vibrating phone used to annoy me. Now it makes me happy.

I haven't joined a team yet, or even trained. I will - but not just yet.

I am having fun, trying something new (to me), and walking my butt off. (and discovering my house is infested with Pokemon)








This was in my bathroom.

Beedrill

[woodsprite]

1. I'm there with you. Hubby just stepped out to make his evening rounds of

the local "gyms" and collect. I'd have gone with him, but my 16yo son is kinda disgusted we play Pokemon. If my 23yo was back from the beach, I would have gone. I know at 16yo he can stay at home with the dog, but we had decided on family movie night (Inception), so I didn't want to change plans.

I tried to catch a 1013 Pincer today and hatched something called a "Hitmonchan" (831) from a 10K egg!

We're all team Mystic.

[Solly Mack]

2. I just got in from a Pokestop run.

Lot of other people out for the same reason. It's a fun way to spend time. I love discovering "new" Pokemon.

[woodsprite]

3. We used to live in New Castle, Delaware (about 20 min. away)

They have a nice park on the waterfront and a large open wharf area. Since New Castle is a historic area, they have a ton of Pokestops, 3 gyms, and since they're near the water, lots of Magic Karp. I would say there were easily over 150 people there playing Pokemon the other night! No trouble, like-minded company and camaraderie. I imagine the townspeople will try to put a stop to it now that it's gone on almost 3 weeks. The park officially closes 1 hr after dusk, and the cops were over their watching the wharf. I'm thinking at some point, they'll start charging people with loitering. Houses there don't have driveways, all parking is on street so sometimes they don't have spots near their homes. I know the ice cream and hotdog vendors, and other restaurants in town are loving it!

Our church is over there and has 3 pokestops and is next to a few gyms. They were considering have an "event" on the really hot Saturdays. Inviting people in to our AC in our education building for juice, iced tea, cookies, maybe having some chotsky prizes -- no Bible thumping (we don't do that) - just community fun to build a relationship with the youth in town and to make out-of-towners feel at home. I felt bad the other day because when I was walking around, I heard some kid saying "They don't like us being here wandering around there town." My daughter and I chatted with him, welcomed him to town, and set him on the trail of an Arcanine and Dewgong.

On the other hand, I made the alarm go off in my car the other night from a distance to spook someone who was looking in car windows on the street we were parked on.

[Solly Mack]

12. I live in a national forest, so that is a huge plus. Several parks, swamps, lakes and bayous.

Also several museums and historical memorial/dedication plaques.

People have been great, so far. No horror stories or anything.

Tonight we did get a warning from the police about a park closing at dark. It was still light as we were leaving (it was just after 8 PM), but he was at the park to warn people to leave soon.

Most businesses here are enjoying the crowds. It's been above 100 degrees here all week and people are stopping to buy food/drinks and other items.

Saw a Pokemon Hunt Picnic party on Sunday in the next town over. Mostly adults and babies too young to play. They had food/drink/music and they invited us to partake when we stopped to gather balls.

[Solly Mack]

27. We went with Team Mystic (finally) and tonight I fought my first battles.

I fought 3 and won 3. I was both surprised and pleased. It was fun!

I used a Raticate, a Jolteon, and a Pigeot. I fought a Raticate, a Vaporeon and an Exeggutor.

[woodsprite]

29. Wow! You did really well!

I have a hard time against vaporeans and exeggutors! I have a raticate I'm working on powering up. His top attack is a 120 hyperbeam. I just hatched an 1103 cp scyther. I was so happy until I looked at his attacks - a 6 and a 35.

Sounds like you live in a beautiful area! We did a hike this weekend in the woods. I surprised myself that I was fairly able to keep up with hubby. I took my walking stick to help negotiate hills, rocks, and tree roots. It was fun. I think I can count how many times I've hiked on one hand in the past 15 years. Been trying to be much more active, and this is helping. Walked 2 miles around the local reservoir the other night before coming home from work. They had 6-7 stops and 2 gyms.

[Solly Mack]

31. I think I enjoy the walks almost as much as I do finding the new Pokemon for my collection.

We have snakes and gators to watch out for, but the area can be very pretty in places. Mostly wood and swamp areas.

I kept getting the "not very effective" prompt during the battle, so the wins were truly a surprise to me.

I've read that if you can hit 10 different Pokestops in 30 minutes you get extra stuff when spinning. I can do 8 in that time, but the next 2 stops are too far away.

My Scyther is only a 357 w a 15/30. Hard to find more to power up though.

[woodsprite]

34. I'm running into the same problem with my lone Pikachu.

Don't know if I'll ever be able to evolve him. We're traveling soon - beach hopping from Delaware to Hilton Head, SC and back again - just as soon as my son finishes band camp. Maybe I'll pick up something interesting or find a Pikachu nest some place

[Solly Mack]

35. Sounds fun and I bet you find all kinds of Pokemon! A Pikachu nest sounds wonderful!

We're waiting until the temps go down a bit to head to the gulf for some bird photography, and I am hoping to find different Pokemon then. I'm in central Louisiana.

[woodsprite]

36. I have a question - What do you do when taking a walk in gator country?

We're RV camping, and have some nice campgrounds, including a couple state parks, lined up to stay at. I know hubby and kids are going to want to explore. Do you just not walk near the water? Are certain times of day safer than others? Make noise, as if you're walking in bear areas? I have no idea, and have never really had to think about it before since we haven't traveled south much (except to stay at Disney - but we steered clear of the beaches, waterways, etc. as much as possible).

[Solly Mack]

38. Don't go near the water after dark. If you're in gator country, they will be out and active then.

Also at dusk and dawn. Big feeding time for alligators.

Some noises scare alligators and some noises make them curious. They've been around humans long enough to know a gunshot is danger but growling noises or shouting can be inviting.

Scan the water before you get close and look for their eyes, snout, or any sign that an alligator is near the banks/sand/edge of the water. If I see an alligator, I don't go near the water. I have been close to one but only because it came out of the high grass while I was walking a trail near the water (in a nature preserve). I kept going and the gator left me alone - but I live in gator country. They can be anywhere here.

They will usually avoid people. Don't ever take a pet near any body of water that might contain alligators. Gators will eat your pet.

Small children aren't safe either.

There are alligators in North Carolina. Due to the warmer weather, alligators have migrated north. (for gators, that is)

Alligators make a chuffing sound, much like a tiger. You won't mistake it for the frogs, which make a lot of noise. You hear a chuff: look around - mind your step - and back away.

They nest in piles of fallen leaves, twigs, and grass - and if you see something that looks like it was deliberately formed - you could be near a nest. Don't go near their nests. They have young in May & June, so you're missing that - very aggressive in defense of young. The nests are usually round and near the edge of shallow water, and can be on land close to the water.

Mainly be watchful. They really do want to avoid trouble if they can help it - but a hungry gator is a dangerous gator.

Hope that helps!

[stevenleser]

4. I'm approaching level 12 and have a Pikachu!

My older daughter, nephew and I are all team Valor so when you get the chance to choose, choose the red team!

[Solly Mack]

7. I am jealous! I want a Pikachu!

I'll keep team Valor in mind. Thanks!

[AngryAmish]

22. I would give my eye teeth for a Pikachu.

Oy reason I started.

[stevenleser]

26. Pikachu most helpfully wandered into my apartment...

... I think he wanted me to catch him.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. I bagged a wild Pidgey in a friend's back yard the other day!

That was just luck, though. I still have trouble aiming the balls.

[Solly Mack]

8. I had trouble getting the curve ball down but since I've gotten better at it

I am catching more.

It's fun, isn't it!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. I just keep flailing randomly until the ball catches the Pokemon.

But I'm getting better at it. My best catch was a Zubat.

[Solly Mack]

11. Sometimes my balls land so far from the target that I look around

to see if anyone is watching. lol

[woodsprite]

14. Our friend started playing over the weekend and was having a hard time throwing the balls straight,

To help her, hubby took the flat side off of an old cassette tape box and routed a straight fingertip width opening (between 2.5-3" long) down the center. The right angle edge keeps it straight on the phone when you're holding it and it's clear so you can still see the whole screen.

[HipChick]

6. OMG...I don't feel so bad now, making those late night Pokemon stop runs - Level 17

and I can walk across the street to a Park which has 5 Pokemon stops, and a gym...

I work from home, and at times just need to take a break...

[Solly Mack]

10. lol! We have 2 stops 1 block from the house and they both usually have a lure going at all times.

One is at the club, to the left, and a walking park to the right. We discovered if we took the long way around from one to the other it was 2km. Makes it perfect for hatching those 2km eggs.

It really is a good way to spend down time.

[woodsprite]

13. I haven't been playing with my camera on because of the battery drain,

but my one friend has, and there are endless possibilities. She's taken a few cute pics of a Bellsprout hugging her dancing solar flowerpot on the dashboard of her car, one where her two Papillons had a Ratatta cornered, a Magic Karp just flopping around on a rock on a riverbank, etc, a Grimer on the steps of the local courthouse. So she's kind of using it as an art form a s well as a game.

[Solly Mack]

16. That sounds cool!

I'm often too excited by my find to remember the camera.

[femmocrat]

15. You make it sound like a lot of fun!

And it does sound like good exercise!

[Solly Mack]

17. It is fun.

Even when I am not actively hunting for them, it still brings a smile when my phone vibrates as I'm going about my usual activities.

I've found them while grocery shopping, at the doctors, etc..

When I go out with my camera especially, loads of pokemons.

[GreydeeThos]

18. You sure it wasn't Vermouth in your kitchen?

[Solly Mack]

19. Very sure.

[Solly Mack]

20. Some more...

The Pokemon jump and dodge to avoid capture.

Venonat - it evolves into the Venomoth










Exeggcute - tough little eggs





Bulbasaur



Scyther



Staryu



Pinsir




I've hit 100km (walking) and I am having a blast.

[AngryAmish]

23. Venomous looks like a Caribou from Yu Gi Oh.

Three months ago I had no idea about Yu Gi. Kids!

[Solly Mack]

25. Kids can't have all the fun. :)

[whistler162]

21. Get some gin and a olive

and remember stirred not shaken!

[Solly Mack]

24. Heh! Might be tasty at that.

[Jamaal510]

28. Lucky you.

I'm at level 11, but I have run into almost entirely un-evolved Pokemon (with the exception of a Jolteon I found near a Wal-Mart). I run into plenty of Venonats in my neighborhood. I have also run into so many Pidgeys and Weedles that I gained enough candies to evolve one of my Pidgeys into a Pidgeot, and one of my Weedles into a Beedrill.

One thing that I like to do is use incenses while I walk around. The incenses work anywhere (even at home) for 30 minutes, and they work regardless of whether or not you're walking. I think I should get into the habit of using Razz Berries, but the extra challenge is a little rewarding, plus I want to save them for something extremely rare.

[Solly Mack]

32. Rattatas and Pidgeys are plentiful around the neighborhood and I have lots of Rattata candy.

I'm not sure what the rare ones are but I got a Tangela yesterday at the doctor's office. We also get a lot of Weedles but nothing like the other two. I need more Caterpies.

I'm determined to find more Magikarp since it takes 400 candies to evolve. Seemed like a challenge.

I love the incense! I'll hit a lure, tap an incense and hope for something new. Right now of everyone in the house, I am behind on capturing something different. I do have the only Magmar though.

I'm almost level 16.

I hate finding one I don't have only to discover I'm out of balls. I know I could buy some but that seems unsporting to me right now. That could change though.

[JCMach1]

30. My funniest Pokemon was my first Pencir who popped-up as I stepped out of the car at

Burlington Coat factory...

He was literally begging to join my team

Meet Burlington:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5X5-3_3YovaWkF2VmRXME9lUDQ/view?usp=sharing

[Solly Mack]

33. He's strong! Mine are all much weaker. I have a Raticate named Ralph.

Some do seem eager to be captured and some seem to mock me when I miss with the ball.

[JCMach1]

41. I have a Kingler named, Joe Noshack and a Ponyta named, Staygold

So, yeah, I have fun with their names...

[Solly Mack]

45. I need 4 more Krabby to evolve a Kingler...love his name!

Staygold is great!

I've only renamed a couple, Ralph and Fluffy. My geodude is named Fluffy.

[Capt. Obvious]

37. I evolved an eevee into a vaporeon

and hatched a ponyta.

I think I'll be ready to battle soon.

[Solly Mack]

39. I love eevees! They are adorable and tough once evolved!

Ponytas are pretty! I need several more to evolve one though.

I waited awhile to do battle, not sure what to do. Now I'm looking forward to doing it again. I finally did it yesterday.

[Capt. Obvious]

40. I stepped into a gym

and just died immediately as I didn't know what was going on.

I've watched a video and read a few things. You have to tap your opponent. Hold down on your opponent for your finisher. Swipe left and right every couple of attacks to dodge theirs.

[Solly Mack]

43. I read up on them too. It helped some but finally doing battle helped the most.

I fought 3 battles yesterday. I was surprised by my fortune. If I can get one battle medal I'll be happy...even if takes me forever.

I used a Raticate, a Jolteon, and a Pigeot against another Raticate, a Vaporeon and an Exeggutor.

[JCMach1]

42. See above, I named my Ponyta, Staygold

[Solly Mack]

44. I love the name Staygold. I laughed when I saw it.

[patricia92243]

46. How are you getting them inside your house? I didn't know that could be done??????

[Solly Mack]

47. Pokemon can be anywhere and everywhere. Your house, yard, garage, buildings, stores, etc..

Pokemon Go is virtual/ augmented reality, so Pokemon can appear anywhere.

My game is on right now and there is an Eevee, an Ekans, and a Weepinbell on my desk.

[patricia92243]

48. I just turned mine on in the house - will be curious to see what happens. Thanks for the tip!

[Solly Mack]

49. You can walk about the house too. I got a Horsea in my bedroom.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

51. Just now I bagged a Venonat. It was on my keyboard.

[Solly Mack]

52. Sweet! My SO got a Omanyte in shoes.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

53. I just ran out of Pokeballs!

[Solly Mack]

56. I hate that! There is always - always - a Snorlax in my house

just after I run out of balls.

[Solly Mack]

50. Quick horn tooting

I fought three more battles, took over a gym, and as of this posting, Blue team still holds the gym.

(YAY!)

[Doctor Jack]

54. How old are you guys?

I'm 30 and pokemon felt like it came a bit after my time. Are all of you like 22? I really don't understand the appeal or even what any of this is about.

[Solly Mack]

55. I'm in my 50's. I've played D&D and Magic the Gathering, as well as video games.

It's not about age, it's about your interests.

It's something fun to do when out and while at home. I can hunt for Pokemon while doing other things.

I also enjoy bird watching.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

57. I'm retired and a couple years north of Social Security eligibility.

You're never too old for fun, wherever you can find it.

[Doctor Jack]

58. Good point nt

[demmiblue]

59. I don't play (no data plan), but I think this is so much fun!

There is a park on my way to work that apparently has several stops/gyms.

I have never seen so many people of all ages out and about!

[Solly Mack]

60. It is fun! I've met young and old while hitting Pokestops and strangers will let you

know where a certain Pokemon is hiding. It really has been a positive fun way to meet new people.

[Capt. Obvious]

61. I had my first battle today

I sent my 684 cp Vaporeon up against some 2000 pointers. Lost to the first one but did get his health down 50%

[Solly Mack]

62. That's good! Taking down the gym's prestige is one way to get experience points.

Sometimes, not often, but sometimes, even one with a high CP is still kind of weak.

[demmiblue]

63. In Memphis today, this woman was getting some Pokemon Go advice from Team Valor.

[Solly Mack]

64. Pokemon Go players are very helpful. :)