I’ve been one of the biggest Pokémon Go haters there is. And today, I’m level 11. I’m not really sure what it was that changed my mind, fam. I’m still not extremely happy about the the differences between Pokémon Go and the game I fell in love with during Christmas of ’98. But then my girlfriend started leveling up. And all of my friends started leveling up. My group chats were all sharing screenshots. I couldn’t even look at Social Hood Watch in peace. That should be me leveling up. That should be me winning gyms. That should be me catching Pokémon to a soundtrack. The iconic anime freeze-frame jump-peace sign combo was the last straw.

Pokémon Go was everywhere. My avatar sat there in augmented reality, at level 4, falling behind the pack.

And then this happened.

And that led me here.


There wasn’t a Zapados (a legendary electric bird pokemon) in Ikea. It was a Fearow. But that’s not the point. Chasing a fictional animal in augmented reality led me into a restricted storage area of Ikea. A storage area I was promptly escorted out of. And I felt no shame. I wasn’t only ready to risk it all – I did. This behavior is directly in line with what I previously preached about. But that was before I really took a significant swig of the Kool-Aid. I’m hooked.

I still think that safety is a priority, especially for us, when playing Pokémon Go. But sometimes, especially in these times, we need a break. We need a break from the harsh realities of life. And I’d be lying if I said that 8-year-old Ira doesn’t return every time I open the app. He does. And I’m 100 percent sure it’s like that for many of us. As with any phenomenon, it’s going to take time to figure out how AR (augmented reality) really fits into our world. But at this moment, every report you read will be about how it’s the worst or best thing that’s ever happened.

At this moment, all I can report is that, for me, it’s a welcome distraction that I pray doesn’t take over my entire life.

And also, if you’re in Atlanta and not on Team Mystic I will be giving you these poké-hands at some point this summer. But I still have to ask. Please be careful? I know how tempting it is to hit up that Pokéstop with the lure module down the street at 11:00 pm. But maybe just skip that one. I know it won’t guarantee safety, but it might help. And out of respect, stop hitting up these local cemeteries. I feel like that’s self-explanatory.

However, I am in these streets.

P.S. – Right after I finished writing this a Gyrados appeared in my living room.


Thanks for reading Strictly 4 My Blerds. What’s your Pokemon Go experience? Leave a comment, I read and reply to all of them. Hit the share button and tag a friend who needs to see this. 

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