3 Fun Things I Realized Playing Pokémon GO

I downloaded Pokémon Go, the day after it was released. I really only downloaded it as a tribute to the fun stickers I had as a child and because I like Pikachu (because it's yellow). The game is visually engaging and at the start, allows you to choose an avatar who helps a researcher on a creature-capturing project. I think. I never read the preamble before games. Ike, does this also mean you don't read terms and conditions?

*crickets* What's your point?

Anyway, your quest is to capture the creatures. The fun part- the game gains access to your smartphone camera (with your consent) and finds creatures around you, using your camera! It usually appears like you are about to take a photo of the outlandish creature which just made its way to your pillow.

Once you've captured the creature, you collect them in a Pokéball. You then have to walk around physically to get more creatures and Pokéballs. I love that the game gets me to move and encourages me to get active in my real life. Great fitness incentive.

3 Things I realized playing Pokémon Go:

1. Canals aren't that deep (not when you are chasing this cute, yellow tubby creature, at least)

I found one of my creatures in a canal. How delightful, I thought, this game is really putting things in virtually-realistic places. The cute creature splashed around in the canal as I was on my way to grab some tea at a local coffee shop, soon I found myself inching closer to the banister, which I believed was installed to prevent people from falling in. Next thing, I found my hand over the railing. It was then I realized...I had become a Pokémon Go zombie; my eyes riveted on my screen and completely unaware of my environment. You could have taken my shoes and my glasses and I wouldn't have minded one bit. That cute yellow thingy just needed to fit into my catcher! I leaned over...just.an.inch.moooore...

2. I can't be tricked to exercise

Nice try, Pokémon. This girl can't be tricked to exercise with virtual offerings and incentives. However, set me, please on a glorious high street lined with shops with show glasses exhibits of books and handbags. All the eye-tingling offerings. I would gladly walk 10 miles. Ask my Fitbit. It knows.

3. Pokémon can't work in Nigeria

Lol! To any African, you know how we really aren't about bats. Even worse bats that appear in our rooms at night. There I was getting ready for bed and I checked my phone for a Pokémon. Behold it was a silly black bat floating around in the dark area of my dully lit room. I'm like nah-ahn.

I don't do bats. Cute and yellow things. Yes. Black bats, no.

I eventually gave up on the game when the creatures became even more difficult to catch. Apparently, if you go up a level, the creatures become more difficult to catch and for me, that would mean- me, in a canal.

Do you have the Pokemon Go game installed? What's your highest level yet? Any misadventures like the players below? Lol