1. The Release:
The average Pokemon Go addict was either one of two people at the release of the app: The one who lacks all willpower and downloaded it immediately, deleting countless family photos and memories without a thought in order to free up storage. Or, like myself, the dang liar. You told yourself, no you won’t get the app, no matter how much you loved Pokemon as a kid, you’re a grown-up now, you have responsibilities! You then proceeded to download it 2 to 3 days later and played nearly all through the night.
“No boss, I’m not hungover, I just played Pokemon Go-- all night,”.
2. Your First Day/Night:
You didn’t put your phone down all night. The minute you got off work, or even perhaps slyly during work, you were playing Pokemon Go. This lasted nearly all night. Weird looks? Who cares! Dinner? Eh. Phone battery low? OMG RUN.
3. Team Blue!
You were probably a mere level two or three when someone shouted at you from across the road “WHAT TEAM?!” Maybe you knew what that meant thanks to all your Pokemon Go playing friends or maybe you were completely clueless and was like, ummm…Go Cavs? Regardless, you are now a proud level 12 and you rep your team with pride (Cough cough, GO BLUE). Now you’re the crazy shouting at people from across the road! Well done you!
4. The first time you run into something:
You're walking along, chasing an extremely elusive Bulbasor and BAM into the side of a building you go. Don't worry, it's 10 o'clock at night and the only people who saw are your fellow Pokemon go players who have most likely done the same exact thing. Get up, shake it off, ice your face and go find that SOB. Bulbasor can still be yours! He's not worried about your lack of dignity!
5. Your first battle:
OMG you’re finally level 5, you can battle your Pokemon and join a team. FINALLY. You rush to your nearest gym and click in only to find that literally every single Pokemon at the gym is at least 3 or 4 hundred CP more than yours. Crap. You battle anyways and it’s awkward, sloppy, and you’re wondering if you’re even doing this right— just as most first times are.
6. Finding your squad:
No this isn’t what team you’re on necessarily though it does help if your squad is on your team. These are the lovely people who make you look slightly less weird as you walk around catching and battling Pokemon. YAY you’re officially now a weirdo with friends!
7. Your first downed server screen:
You woke up bright and cheery and earlier than normal so that you could go catch a Pikachu before work today, it’s the one bright spot in your day. You put on you backwards hat, grab your backpack and phone and click on the app. SERVER'S DOWN. The phone falls slowly from your hand as you crawl back to your bed with dreams of Pikachu dancing in your head…
8. You’re catchin' em all and straight gettin' it:
You’re leveling up like crazy and your plans to get drinks with friends (or more accurately watch Netflix all night by yourself) are now intricately detailed plans of attack with your Pokemon Go squad. You’ve also either busted out or bought a portable charger because suddenly your single butt that usually could care less about if your phone dies is obsessed with your phone’s battery percentage. Congratulations, Pokemon Go is now your significant other.
9. Your first Pokemon Gym stay:
You’re finally actually good at this dang game that you’ve dedicated your life to and can finally beat out majority of those at a gym. You place your Pokemon in the gym nearest you and of course, he kills it because he isn’t some dang Rattata, he’s a fully grown Charizard and he slays.
10. Becoming a PokeMaster:
No matter how many times you're yelled at by passerby's in a car, no matter how many poles or walls you may walk into and no matter how late you stay up, it will all be worth it when you become a PokeMaster and take and keep control of that gym. You’re well on your way fam. Keep on defending your gym and Catchin’ Em all!
