#i found a second shiny phanpy

[jojolimons]

i seem to have a knack for finding barely different shinies

[glassandmetalwings]

I had a great day at the mall today! Now I’m beat.

Where to begin...

Took two Gyms. Both were taken back, but then another Instinct person took the first, and I put a new Pokémon in (since returned). Also put a Pokémon in a Gym that’s a little out of the way. My Blissey is caring for two little babies there. More than anything I’m trying to get hours towards that gold Gym Leader medal-I’ve decided I really want that top...

There were a bunch of Pokémon I rarely see hanging out! Remoraid, Hoppip, Poliwag, Baltoy,  and Phanpy in particular, but also found Carvanha, Shroomish, Lotad, a Feebas(!), and a Larvitar. Magikarp and Wailmer were everywhere-didn’t get any shinies, but I’m past the halfway point for a Wailord. I know this is mostly the result of the Earth Day event, but I didn’t think we’d be getting less common Pokémon spawning more frequently.

On a related note, Corphish were also everywhere, but never where I was. So I still haven’t gotten one of those. I’m also now hoping these increased spawns give me more Wingull!

I was able to get a few final evolutions, namely Jumpluff and Poliwrath. As I already have Politoed, I’ve completed all the Johto branch evolution families, minus Tyrogue (Poliwag, Oddish, and Slowpoke). Still need a Hitmontop; my Tyrogue doesn’t have the right stats. I also have enough candy for an Octillery, but I’m holding out at least until the event ends, because my Remoraid aren’t the best.

Solo’d a Sneasel raid and won! Since the Gyms kept changing colors, I thought I’d have some help, but there was a Latios raid kinda nearby at the same time...It was my first time successfully winning a two star raid by myself. The weather helped. Catching Sneasel gave me my gold Johto medal!

Finally, as the above picture shows, I ran around like no one’s business throwing berries at Pokémon to catch them. I got my Excellent Curve Throw on my Wailmer in the food court, and already had 10/50 berries fed. I nearly ran out of berries because the stops were only giving me pokéballs; I had to redeem a few field research tasks I’d been hoping to keep for other days. As a result...

I got Mew! It’s nice that you can’t fail the encounter, but throwing balls at it isn’t easy (not just because it’s invisible-it’s placed in an odd spot for its size), and you can’t use any of your items-it gives you unlimited pokéballs, but no berries. It felt like, after it broke out of each pokéball (which it did twice), it moved around more. But I got it-1315 CP with Shadow Claw and Hyper Beam. An online IV checker calcs it at 93.3%, but I’m not sure if that’s accurate. (Note: the bubble isn’t part of the game, but it was appropriate).

So...good day. I’m still coming down from the excitement. I bought the first and second Pokémon movies on DVD to celebrate. I told myself I would organize some of my yarn tonight...