Pokemon...go?

A friend of mine suggested that the progression of Pokémon GO! would be as follows: 

1. kids play the game
2. adults try out the game
3. sick of growing adult adoption, kids drop out
4. criminals learn how to exploit the game
5. game becomes used primarily as a hookup site

Given my current status as a divorced single mom, I kind of hoped that #5 would become a reality sooner rather than later.  To me, it would mean that the men I met were a) dads who are supportive of their kids; b) not the most athletically inclined but enough so that walking around collecting strange creatures was appealing, and/or c) sufficiently "geek" that I could get along with them.

Unfortunately, this has not turned out to be the case. Single men (dads or not)  my age are trying to attract women at least 15 years younger, women who still want to have babies and, to paraphrase "Friends," whose important parts still point "up." 

Men who are looking for women my age have no idea what Pokémon is, let alone what the whole "Internet thing" is about. These are men who are almost old enough to be my father, who know that the 30 somethings are out of their reach (unless they happen to be Donald Trump and can afford to make them forget about age differences), and who don't want to grow old alone.

I get not wanting to grow old alone. I had hoped that I wouldn't. As the first year after my divorce draws to a close, however, I am considering the possibility that I will meet my future as a strong, independent and unattached woman.

This is not terrible.

This is not the end of the world.

This is not a reality that will justify years of patriarchal propaganda that says a woman is not complete without a man.

And yet.

I don't really like being alone. I prefer companionship. If I had my way, I'd grow old with someone on a porch overlooking the ocean, in rocking chairs, as we argued over who drank the last of the bourbon and who was higher ranked in Pokémon Trainers (go Team Instinct!)

There are any number of far more important issues clamoring for my attention than that of my relationship status. The 2016 presidential elections, the 2016-2017 school year, the institutionalized racism in our country, the issues of gun control and education budgets and gender identity.

But for now, for the moment, I find myself wishing that my "Team Instinct" membership granted me some rights to the "Match" that is waiting for me: a catch that I have been waiting a long time to make, someone willing to brave the combat points it will take to win me, a partner with enough Stardust to earn my notice.

Gotta catch 'em all...but I will settle for the Right One.

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