Volbeat (in Japanese: バルビート “Barubeat”) is the “Firefly Pokémon”. It is a BUG-type. It does not evolve, and so far there is no Mega-evolutionary form. All Volbeats are male.
You can breed it with a Ditto, to produce an egg that will either hatch as a Volbeat if it is male, or an Illumise if the hatchling is female.
Illumise (in Japanese: イルミーゼ “Illumise”) is also a Bug-type, known as the “Firefly Pokémon”. It also does not evolve from or into any form.
I wonder if she knows TM 70?
All are female, and can be bred with either a Ditto or a Volbeat. Eggs would contain either Illumise or Volbeat.
I like to name Volbeat after members of the Beatles. I used to use combined names, like John-Paul or George-Ringo, but then I just gave them the individual names of the Beatles. “John”, “Paul”, etc.
I even used “Pete Best” as he was the original Beatles drummer. Did you know that there was another Beatles member — “Stu”? Stuart Sutcliff was one of the original Beatles, and was a big influence on John and Paul until his untimely death.
Paul, John, George, Stu and Pete.
I have also named Volbeat “Down Beat” or “Downbeat” after the Jazz musical style. I also like “Fahrvernugen” – after “Fahrvergnügen” the slogan for Volkswagen automobiles, but I would have to misspell it due to the 12 letter limit. Of course you can just name it “VW” or “V.W. Beetle”. There is also a Danish heavy-metal group called Volbeat, so if you are a Euro-metal fan, you could name Volbeat after one of their songs. “EnglishBeat” and “Bronski Beat” are 1980s new wave music examples.
Another possible name for this Beetle is “The Love Bug” or “Herbie” after the famous Disney movie. The name “Ocho” would be subtle play on Herbie’s racing number.
Herbie’s headlights as seen in the 2005 remake with Lindsay Lohan.
Illumise — by contrast — is gorgeous. She has these most amazing eyes. This Firefly is a nocturnal beauty. I have used the name “NightLight“. You could name Illumise after any pretty girl with enchanting eyes. “Moon-in-June” or “Moon-Bug” may be OK. “Bedroom Eyes” anyone?
Guess who!
It probably will not surprise you, but I named one “Iwasa Misaki” after the world’s most beautiful woman … er … I mean … um … er … second only to my wife … um … is what I meant to say. I named another one “Wasamin” and used the little heart symbols as part of the name. I leveled little, bright-eyed Wasamin up to Level 100 in a Luxury Ball, and also super-trained her.
What is the name for your favorite firefly? Please comment!
Use TM70 “Flash” ! … really, I won’t mind.
Maybe I should have named this night-lightning bug something like “Headlights” or “Highbeams” – after, well, you know.
Voltorb (in Japanese: ビリリダマ “Biriridama”) is an Electric-type Pokémon of course. It appears to us like a Pokéball: a ball that is red on top and white on the bottom. Voltorb evolves into Electrode (In Japanese: マルマイン “Marumine”) at level 30, where it remains an electric type. Electrode also looks like a Pokéball, except that Electrode is white on top and red on the bottom. Um …
I will admit, I often forget if Voltorb is red on the top and white on the bottom, or the other way around.
I think that the PERFECT nickname for this Pokémon would be “Cyrkle” or “The Cyrkle”. This pop trio had a great pop hit in 1966 called “Red Rubber Ball”.
Here is the music video of The Cyrkle. Sorry for the low volume on the first one. This particular YouTube post was apparently designed for the hearing impaired. It does have the lyrics subtitled in a large, easy-to-read font. This makes it easier to sing along with … at least for those of us who remember the single. Note the “red rubber balls” in the back ground set. Could these really be Voltorbs in disguise? You know … similar to how they hide themselves in buildings, such as the Team Rocket hideout? You think it is a Pokéball ,or an item to pick up, then ZAP — you have to battle the electric balls!
This is a much better sounding YT vid. This does better justice to this proto-power-pop song.
“Red Rubber Ball” was written by legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon (of Simon and Garfunkel fame). I think it is a well-crafted, perhaps almost “textbook” mid-sixties song. It clocks in at two minutes twenty — leaves you with the hook, and you want to play it again! Although I was just a larva in 1966, I loved listening to my transistor radio under the bedcovers at night. AM radio-pop songs were great at that time. I think that the song composition style of mid-1960s music is the template for everything I would like later.
Unfortunately, Mr. Simon did not like his own composition. He wrote the song for a publishing house, and referred to it as a period when he was a “hack” songwriter. I think it is great. In fact, I like it better than “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. (What is that one really all about anyway?)
Check out these lyrics from RRB: “The roller-coaster ride we took is nearly at an end – I bought my ticket with my tears, that’s all I’m gonna spend”.
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel only performed the song as a “novelty” song at just a few live performances. You can listen to that Simon and Garfunkel version linked here. Pretty cool stuff for we pop music historians!
Oh, right … electric balls again …
I named one “Cold-Hearted” as in “cold hearted orb which rules the night” line from the famous poem “Late Lament.”
“Voltaire” is a literary reference for any sophisticated Voltorb trainers.
Other names I have seen for Voltorb and Electrode include:
“Da Bomb”“BOOOOM” or “Ka-Boom” and the like are common, as Voltorb may use moves such as Explosion and Self-Destruct. Some players have named Voltorb after terrorists/suicide bombers — because they blow themselves up.
“Thunderball”, or “Oddball” may be good. How about “RollerBall” as in the classic1975 sci-fi film? Pretty cool metal ball!
Regarding the “balls” names: If you want, add an “s” or “z” to the end as in “Lectro-Ballz”.
Other names for electric types such as “Shocker” or some variant would be OK. I might suggest the name “Shockey” as in the former NFL tight-end Jeremy Shockey.
Electrode has no Mega-Evolved form. If someday there is one, I hope that it will be a Steel and Electric dual type, and look something like the RollerBall in the movie poster.
What do you name your electric balls of steel? Please comment.
Joltik (in Japanese: バチュル “Bachuru” ) is a dual-type Bug and Electric Pokémon.
The little creepy crawler evolves into Galvantula (in Japanese: デンチュラ “Dentula”) at level 36, where it remains a bug/electric dual type. This little electric arachnid is often found in caves.
Galvantula does not Mega-Evolve, at least not at this time. Apparently they are easy to breed.
You could name a male Joltik “Joltin Joe” after baseball legend “Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio“. I was at a loss for what to name a female Joltik … I thought … “it is a crawler … No, a walker…” so I finally came up with “WalkAwayRené” after the famous 1966 hit song by Left Banke — “Walk Away Renée”. I maxed out my 12 allowed letters.
Listening to this really takes me back. Here is the original black and white music video. It is pretty cool for a 1960s promo clip. Remember there was not an MTV or such outlet for this type of promo film back then! Watch for Renée to appear in the clouds above the trees — it is a sweet moment. The sound of this vid was recorded very low however. You can also listen to a 45 record with better sound linked here, or a crystal clear CD linked here. Lyrics are linked here. You will note that this song has a very pretty melody. It is also a sad and haunting melody. You see, back in the mid 1960s — pop songs actually had melodies!!! Kids, learn something from this well-crafted 1960s song.
I bet you will be getting into it when you try it at karaoke tonight … you shy little spider.
Remember Renée from up in the clouds? Well, here she is again in a little Galvantula cosplay:
“Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall — Still finds a way to haunt me — though they’re so small”
“Just walk away, Renee — You won’t see me follow you back home — The empty sidewalks on my block — are not the same …”
Considering Galvantula: I chose the name “Boris” as a tribute to John Entwistle’s song made famous by The Who.
The spider can learn moves like Electroweb, Electroball and Sticky Web. However, I prefer straight ahead attacks such as X-Scisscor, Bug-Bite or Thunderbolt.
I have also used the name “Galveston” after the town out on the barrier island coast of Texas — and the Glen Campbell song of the same name!
Galveston should never be confused with Houston, Texas however. Both cities are coastal, but there are some notable differences between them. Galveston is a more idyllic resort area. Not so with Houston. Galveston is well known as a good place to go for Spring Break! Galveston has several “Bikini Contests” each season.
“I clean my gun … and dream of Galveston” — Glen Campbell.
Houston? Meh. There is this old joke about the married couple from Dallas, Texas who wanted to spice-up their sex life. The man asks his wife if there was anything new he could do to please her in sexually. She replies “I want you to kiss me in that place that is down-and-dirty.” So he drives her to Houston.
Oh, yeah … I was talking about yellow electric spiders … Other names I have seen for Galvantula include “Voltaire” – after the French writer of the Enlightenment. Voltaire might be a good name for any electric type, and would be probably be a better nickname for a Voltorb. Voltaire wrote during The Enlightenment, so do you think he ever used “Flash“?
“ArachNode” – after a “node” or an interescting point of electrical wiring. “Killabite” would be a play on the kilobyte term in computers and electronics. “Kumonga” – the name of the giant spider who battled Godzilla. “Tetrawatt” or “Quadravolt” may work, as these are both plays on the fact that Garvantula only has four legs apparently. Four less than a spider should have.
What is the name of your electric spider? Please comment.
Petilil (in Japanese: チュリネ “Churine” ) is a Grass-type Pokémon. Petilil evolves into Lilligant (in Japanese: ドレディア “Dredear”) when exposed to a Sun Stone. It thus remains a Grass type.
I sometimes name a Petlil “Pantene” after the brand of shampoo. If I intend on evolving the little flower I name it accordingly for the next form.
This young lady is pretty as a flower, but growing like a weed!
I name a Lilligant “Hanako” or “Hana” or “Hana-chan” after my favorite singing Flower Girl Hanako Oku!
“Hanako” is a common Japanese girl name! 華子 (華 is the kanji symbol which may mean – ‘splendor’, ‘flower’, ‘petal’, ‘shine’, ‘luster’, ‘ostentatious’, ‘showy’. 子 ‘ko’ is the second kanji, meaning ‘girl (child)’).
There 1960s pop group The Cowsills recorded a song most people refer to as “I Love the Flower Girl”, but which is actually titled “The Rain, the Park, and Other Things”. Please enjoy this nice YouTube post which complies multiple Cowsills performances. I’m singing it while I compose this post, as you can see by my notes in green. You can find the lyrics linked here.
It is a pretty good 1960s pop song. I must have heard it 1,000,000 times on AM radio, but I never really listened to the story until now. A guy is at a park. It has just stopped raining. Then there she is … The Flower Girl. The song says “the Sun broke through”. (Coincidentally you need a SunStone in order to make the Petilil evolve into a Liligant!) He goes off with this girl, WHO HE HAS JUST MET BY THE WAY … they engage in some activity, which is not clear in the song, but what they do strews “FLOWERS EVERWHERE …”. All of a sudden – the Flower Girl is gone. Did he imagine the whole thing?
Hmmmm … well, here is a brief slideshow of some “elegant flower girls” in Lilligant cosplay.
“I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew … she could make me happy …”
Some other names for Liligant?
I like “Lilith” which is a nice proper Anglo-sounding name. (Also the name of the wife of Dr. Frasier Crane.)
“PrettyFlower” will just fit in 12 letters. My idea for this name is “For Your Clothes Here’s a Pretty Flower” which is what Hare Krishna’s say when they pin a flower on you and ask for a donation. Which reminds me of the time I met this Hare Krishna chick at the mall. I was about 18 years old, and horny as hell, walking along, minding my own business. All of a sudden this great looking blond girl with flowers in a headband comes up to me and starts asking how I am doing. One thing did not lead to another, and … oh, crap … I wasn’t getting anything, she was just after a donation for her cult. There was probably some ape-shit ugly dude out in a van in the mall parking lot, putting her up to it … and er … huh huh … I digress once again.
The Netherlands grow and sell a lot of flower bulbs, so Holland-inspired names are appropriate: “Bulbs” or “Holland” or “Hollandyke” — for example. “Tiptoes” if you remember the “Tip Toe Through The Tulips” song.
“Lillium” is the genus name for the flower Lilly. It is the Latin word used for the genus, and is also the name of the FANTASTIC operatic opening song sung in Latin for the landmark anime Elfen Lied. Perhaps pretty flowers would grow in an “Elf Field“. Listen to the music linked here in another window. … Gulp … It was one of the most profound anime’s ever … how can you say you are an anime fan if you have never been on this? I get lost remembering the haunting theme …
Another suggestion is “McGill” as in the line from The Beatles song “Rocky Raccoon” — “Her name was McGill, but she called herself ‘Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy.”
Starlight: I’m old enough to remember when my sister bought the Cowsills album in 1966.
Great News! “Beyond The Lighted Stage” is now streaming on Netflix! It is my favorite “Rock Documentary” of all time. I had already seen it on Netflix DVD a couple of years ago, but since then — they put it on streaming! I have watched it another three times. I even like to have it on when I do chores around the house. Having said all that, my post today is not a review of that great 2010 documentary about Canada’s progressive rock band Rush. (That film will have to be the subject of another blog.)
My topic? Well, after watching this rock-doc, I could not help but be mucho-impressed with the persona life story of band’s drummer/lyricist Neil Peart. I was greatly inspired by the interviews with him. He is (arguably) the greatest rock drummer.
Mr. Peart is a GREAT MAN – and that is not an accolade I give out very often. I would have to put him up there with Buddha, George Washington, Mr. Spock, and the guy who invented the Wendy’s Triple with Cheese (hold the mayo).
When I watched Mr. Peart, I saw a talented rock-hero, but in his flaws, I also saw a lot of myself. He is a good role-model — and not just for his expertise on the drums. I think any young person should aspire to live a life as well as he has.
The documentary shows through interviews and home movies the story of Neil joining Rush. It also shows some earlier film of him as a little boy (He was a Canadian boy who could not ice-skate very well – which he admits caused him some trouble in his life.) He was a gawky, bullied teenager. After high school he studied music and — among other things, books about Objectivism while in England but returned to Canada and earned his chops playing in local rock bands. He was working in his family’s tractor supply store when he was asked to audition for Rush – as the original Rush drummer had health problems and could not tour. Neil played like a cross between Keith Moon and John Bonham — and was of course hired.
Neil Peart is not your typical rock drummer. Mr. Peart has always been an avid reader. He is no academic egghead, yet the man is very sharp, very witty, and very astute. His literate nature led to him becoming the main lyricist for Rush. I always liked how he often employed themes from history, mythology, literature, social-economics and science fiction. Peart lyrics are sometimes a little like J.R.R. Tolkien …and sometimes like Isaac Asimov. Admittedly, rock critics often PANNED his songs for being pretentious and/or sophomoric – perhaps comparable to an English major at a liberal arts college. This is a great injustice. Ok, some lyrics are hokey, but others are very deep, very profound — even mystical. When you look at his entire body of work, it is indeed very ambitious – particularly considering the lyrics are for a hard rock songs! Rush songs have also “borrowed” famous phrases from literature. This is not “ripping off Shakespeare” as some have claimed. Rather, Mr.Peart has referenced certain well known phrases for context and emphasis. His songs spoke to the generation of us alienated heavy-metal kids who had just enough education to be dangerous. Think 2112 – linked here.
The two other members of Rush – singer bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson are very good about signing autographs. They like to interact with the press and the fans at these “meet and greet” events before concerts. Mr. Peart does not. He does not care for signing autographs, meeting and making small talk with fans, and has a reputation of being an anti-social sourpuss. (Yup, I know what that’s like.)
Nothing could be further from the truth. The documentary shows what a gentle, humorous and thoughtful man he is. You should do so well.
Damn, I wish I was a better writer.*
“Cast in this unlikely role
Ill-equipped to act
With insufficient tact
One must put up barriers
To keep oneself intact”
Some found N.P.’s brooding intensity to be off-putting. However, as Geddy Lee explained, “Neil is not anti-social , in fact he is very shy… He is not good at talking with fansbecause he is just not com-for-ta-ble.”
Neil Peart made a good point on this, at one point he said “When I was growing up I loved The Who, but I would never, ever think of going up to their hotel room after a concert and try to meet them.” The man is absolutely right. What is there to say in those situations really? Don’t be like these guys.
A poignant great part of the doc also explains what happened during a dark period of Mr. Peart’s life. One night, Neil and his wife Jacqueline were informed that their daughter Selena died in a horrific auto accident. As Mr. Peart and his wife struggled with their loss, Neil’s wife was diagnosed with cancer, and died a few months later. She lost her will to live on the night her daughter died. Peart said that his wife actually died of a “broken heart”. He called it “a slow suicide by apathy. She just didn’t care.”
Mr Peart struggled to cope. He considered himself “retired” from music. In his grief, Neil Peart got on his motorcycle and rode. He cycled around North America. Eastern Canada to Alaska, to Baja Mexico, Belize and around again. 55,000 miles. He would just ride, as the feel of the road calmed what he called ‘his baby soul”. He was never recognized on the journey, and would be never approached when he would stop in small towns and cafés. His experience is chronicled in his book “Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road” (2002).
I am currently reading this and highly recommend it. I know that he is a famous musician, but I feel connected via experience to Mr. Peart. He expresses many of the same feelings I have had about travel.
Readers: My descriptions here cannot capture the virtues of this great man.
I found mysticism and beauty in a surprising place this past week. I have been haunted by a ghost horse for six days now. My recent post about nicknames for Ponyta included the song “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey. At first, I was just being my usual goofy self, and I wanted to include this song about a horse I remembered from the 1970s.
It was a hit in the mid-70s. I must have heard it at least a hundred times on AM radio back then. I may have heard it many times, however I never actually listened to it.
Back then, I was a teenage rock-and-roller – I was listening to a lot of Aerosmith, KISS, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, etc. I was a leather-clad hormone-driven heavy metal teen and too “cool” to listen to some hayseed song about a pony that broke down its stall. It could be said that I could not appreciate “Wildfire” because I was too much of a jackass.
Like too many of things in this life, we don’t realize the simple beauty of things right in front of us. Fortunately it was not too late for me to enjoy the mysticism and beauty now.
The emotions and the lyrics were lost on my teen self during that period, and I am sorry about that. Last week, I prepared my Ponyta post, but the more I listened to the song, the more beautiful it became to me. I’m listening to it right now …
Thank you Mr. Murphey … I finally get it.
Before my words evaporate into the bogging ether, I want to share a couple of versions of the song, and I hope that you can find a special moment the way that I did.
The first is from a 2007 performance on “The David Letterman Show”. Paul Shaffer does a great job with the piano intro. The rest of the band seems really into it. Letterman himself is impressed and comes out to congratulate Mr. Murphey at the end. Mr. Murphey stresses certain words in the song in this version, but it becomes very heartfelt. You may not ever listen to much “Cowboy Music” but I hope that you can connect to the same emotions that I experienced. Don’t be so cynical — allow yourself to feel it.
The story from Wikipedia was that talk show host David Letterman loved the song. He would discuss with bandleader Paul Shaffer the meaning of the lyrics — particularly the line about “leave sodbustin’ behind” (that part gets to me too). Letterman described the song as “haunting and disturbingly mysterious, but always lovely,” and surmised that the performance would leave the studio audience with “a palpable sense of … mysticism, melancholy … and uplifting well-being.” They invited the singer to perform, and of course Mr. Murphey nailed it as seen here.
The second performance is longer and contains extended instrumentation. They lengthen the piano intro and ending. Both are wonderful. If you like, the original studio version is linked here. So many times I ignored it as it flowed out of a car’s AM radio …
Other references from Wikipedia: The song was made fun of by Dave Barry in an article he wrote about awkward songs (I do like Mr. Barry’s humor, but he was way off about this song). Of course, I was wrong to think it was a hokey song all those years ago. The song is also referenced in an episode of “The Simpsons”. Lisa played the song for her pony on her saxophone. She introduced it by saying “This next song is also about a girl and her pony. It’s called ‘Wildfire’ “ I think that means it was a tribute!
The full lyrics are listed below. I will interpret them after.
She comes down from Yellow Mountain
On a dark flat land she rides
On a pony she named Wildfire
With a whirlwind by her side
On a cold Nebraska night
Oh, they say she died one winter
When there came a killing frost
And the pony she named Wildfire
Busted down his stall
In a blizzard he was lost
She ran calling Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire
By the dark of the moon I planted
But there came an early snow
There’s been a hoot owl howlin’ by my window now
For six nights in a row
She’s coming for me I know
And on Wildfire — we’re both gonna go
We’ll be riding Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire
On Wildfire we’re going to ride
We’re gonna leave sod bustin’ behind
Get these hard times right on out of our minds
Riding Wildfire
The song is open-ended enough that it could be interpreted in different ways.
The song starts out by explaining a legend. A woman (or is she a spirit woman?) dies trying to eek out a living on the desolate Nebraska Plains. The song says that she come down from “Yellow Mountain” however there is no Yellow Mountain in Nebraska. Perhaps “Yellow Mountain” is derived from the Indian name for a mountain where gold was once thought to be found. Perhaps she gave up prospecting to settle on the plains. The woman dies, and her horse who loved her so much cannot stand living alone anymore. The pony “busts down his stall” and runs out into a blizzard – perhaps no longer caring about his own life. Without her, any life thereafter would be too painful.
A question remains: How could SHE go running calling out “Wildfire”? She was already dead. Was she calling to the ghost horse to join her? … or was she sad that the pony gave up his own life?
The story shifts to the protagonist a man currently struggling to make a living in the western Nebraska plains.
Now, I do not want to insult any potential readers in Lincoln or Omaha, however I must say that western Nebraska in winter is a desolate place. Early pioneers called that part of the Plains “The Great American Desert” as it was so hard to farm. (I will digress: If you have ever seen the Clint Eastwood movie “Unforgiven” — the Gene Hackman character says at one point: “Dead? No, but even I thought I was dead once, but it turned out I was just in Nebraska.” Indeed it is a harsh environment.)
I like that part about “by the dark of the moon I planted” as in the 1800s there were farming rules about planting according to the phases of the moon. It was superstitious perhaps, or had to do with the ancient trial-and-error wisdom of the aboriginal inhabitants of the Plains.
Farming peoples would plant, fertilize, harvest – even pick the right time to castrate a horse – all according to the appropriate moon phase. (I am not making that up or trying to be funny.)
The lyric “there came an early snow” means that his crop is killed again and again.
That part about “There’s been a hoot-owl howling by my window now” is significant. You young otaku may not know that an owl outside your bedroom window is a bad omen in western and hill-people culture. He know that his death is eminent. He knows that the woman will come for him (is the ghost woman someone important to him?… perhaps an ancestor?)
During the Letterman performance, Mr. Murphey’s voice breaks at the “we’re both gonna go” lyric. It is a great emotional moment. If you listen I hope it takes you there.
He will starve too, as he has perhaps given up on life – however this is arguably not such a bad thing. He will die, but he knows that he will join the spirit of the woman and ride Wildfire. He will “leave sod-busting behind.” No more demeaning and futile dirt farming. No more struggling with the harsh realities of this existence. They will be together in the afterlife: “Get these hard times right on out of our minds” …
We tell ourselves when a loved one dies: “They are in a better place”.
I hope that you young otakus never have to have the experience of witnessing a loved one pass away over a long, grueling, painful illness. At some point, there is no coming back, and death is the release. I hope you enjoying these touching and mystical elements in song.
Starlight: 40 lightyears ago – I was a jackass. Don’t point the telescope there.
Instead, name your Ponyta “Wildfire” … and please visit Mr. Murphey-san’s website linked here.
“Oh, they say she died one winter When there came a killing frost And the pony she named Wildfire Busted down his stall In a blizzard he was lost
She ran callin’ Wildfire …. “
Ponyta (in Japanese: ポニータ “Ponyta”) is a Fire-type Pokémon. Ponyta evolves into another “fire horse” Rapidash (in Japanese: ギャロップ “Gallop”) at level 40, where it remains a Fire-type.
Ponyta is probably my favorite Pokémon! Although it is a not as powerful as the evolved Rapidash, I like that Ponyta is NOT a unicorn. I still like Rapidash, but I try not to see that horn on its forehead. The ears kind of block the horn on the older animations. I mean — come on, a UNICORN?!?! I will suspend my disbelief for the purpose of the game — but let us not get ridiculous!
I named my first Ponyta/Rapidash the name “Mary Ellen“. I know that this name does not have much to do with horses, or fire, but I sometimes name Pokemon after people I have known. I knew a strong, trustworthy woman who had an unbreakable spirit. Go! Mary Ellen use Flame Wheel!!!
You could probably use names for other fiery redheads, such as “Lucy” (See my post on Vulpix linked here.)
You could name one “WildFire” after the 1970s song by space cowboy singer Michael Martin Murphey. Ladies, please enjoy.
I like to use the name “Fastback” for a male Ponyta. Think of an orange or red Ford Mustang Fastback. These were handsome cars with power to spare. Although there were many incarnations of the Mustang fastback, I like the 1971 Mach 1 model shown here the best. I like to catch the Ponyta in a “Repeat Ball” because the coloration matches, and the Pokemon comes out in a firey explosion.
You could name it “Twilight” or “Sparkle” if you are a My Little Pony fan. The name “Shadowfax” resonates like “Rapidash”, and is a “Lord-of-the-Rings” reference.
A more obvious name is “Equus” after the genus name for horses — as well as for the dark, depressing stage play of the same name, (that starred Harry Potter). Perhaps “Equinox”or some variation like “Equinocks” could be workable.
If I caught a blue-fire shiny version, I might name it “NightMare”. Oh, how I would love to have a blue-flame shiny Ponyta … I would not care if it is a hack or not. Pokehackers: Please make me one!
What are some other horse related? “Pegasus“, like the constellation. “Apocalypse 1″ may be a dark name, as in the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. Then put together a numbered team of the apocalypse. “Firestorm” may be good for a Rapidash perhaps.
You may be playful and name one “Godiva” as in Lady Godiva.
“Cimarron” is a good horse name, and is a John Ford film reference. One can just feel the amber hues of sunset on the ripened Great Plains, and the wildfire which sweeps across it. If you want something goofy, try “Wilbur” which is a “Mr. Ed” reference!
I have also used the name “Denver” because of the Denver Broncos logo. Also it is a “western” name. Denver made me name another female Ponyta “Annie’s Song” after the famous John Denver hit.
I have named a female Ponyta/Rapidash “Ponytail” after the hairstyle, and the AKB48 song “Ponytail to Shushu”. (See how I worked in an AKB reference?). The song is not about a horse. The song is a “boy’s perspective” song. A schoolkid man sits behind a pretty young woman in class. She always wears her hair tied up in a ponytail, which of course fires his imagination. A young lady’s hair tied up in a ponytail is one of life’s great nostalgic moments. Oh, the way young women tie up their hair this way. There is that wonderful magic where hair meets the base of the girl’s neck. Ladies do you not realize how beautiful you are making yourselves when you do this? wonders upon wonders! … um … but I digress. Yes, GO PONYTAIL!
“Your ponytail (don’t untie it)
keep it like usual
You are you (I am me)
and we’re just running
Your ponytail (don’t untie it)
forever and ever
I want you to be free
like a girl is supposed to be “
How about “PONYCANYON” … after the Japanese record label?
No … Matt is NOT the father, silly. Ms. Deschanel-sama and her fiancé, producer Jacob Pechenik, announced in January that they were expecting a child together. Looks like she is “beginning to show” here in this special music video. She and Him are in the studio to back up rock legend Brain Wilson. Mr. Wilson has a great new record out. Brian of course, is one of Zooey’s heroes. Zooey-chan has always been very comfortable in a 1960’s genre. You can hear a little Beach Boys in the songs she writes!
Brian looks good… looks good … I am hopeful.
Um … I don’t look that burnt out do I? Be honest with me!
There is also a very cute lyric video here. Retro-hip cool, as you might expect from these three.
I hope Zooey will take it easy this summer. I hope that she works LESS on the TV show and MORE on writing her songs. Sit down there girl and write me a new Volume Number of Deschanel-penned songs.
I want to share a great song from 1990, by a very good –but not well known — Texas-Mexican group the Texas Tornados.
The members were Freddy Fender, Flaco Jiménez, Augie Meyers, and Doug Sahm (wiki links there). I love this song. The original music and lyrics were by Texas singer-songwriter Butch Hancok. Please enjoy the accordion, the simplicity, the beauty, the mysticism, and my forlorn regrets of a lost love from long ago …
I met her in old Mexico She would live in sad and young This smokey room where no one could see Her favorite poets all agree Spanish is a loving tongue But she never spoke Spanish to me
She was born in Monterrey And all the Christmas songs were sung Padres knew what she would grow up to be Saints and sinners all agree Spanish is a loving tongue But she never spoke Spanish to me
Like a lion screaming in the jungle low She’d never fool with things she couldn’t see She spoke to all the shadows in her bungalow But she never spoke Spanish to me
She said if you’re from Texas, so Where’s your boots and where’s your gun Well, I got guns that no one can see Well, after that we both agreed Spanish is a loving tongue But she never spoke Spanish to me Well, she never spoke Spanish to me
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
——————————–
When I first hear this, I thought that the part about the lady “speaking Spanish” was a metaphor about how she would … ahem … moan words in Spanish when she was in the “moment’ … ah … if you know what I mean. If she was not just faking, and … um … er … having a REAL ONE, she would let loose in Spanish … at least according to what the other “poets” claimed.
The poor guy, he never got to hear her speak Spanish. She could never truly love him.
I like the Tex-Mex-Native mystical aspects of that line “She spoke to all the shadows in her bungalow” but never to him. On the surface it may seem like a simple song, yet it does have its mystical qualities.
Like the protagonist in the song, I also feel that “I got guns that no one can see” — even if I do not look the part of the Texan.
Starlight: My amigo Roberto — “Ella Tiene Dos Sillas Grande!” — Los Gatos de Jacobs gave me this great record (CD) for my Birthday in 1990. Buenos Nachos Bob!
Finally, something worth listening to on America’s National Public Radio!
Apparently NPR has eased its “Never have anything interesting on” format, and has allowed a free listen to the new She & Him modern-meets-retro album “Classics” which will be released on December 2.
You can hear the entire album, or listen to individual songs at the NPR website link here.
WARNING: NPR has put a 10 second self advertisement before the album starts. Just try not to die of boredom in that time …
I love it of course. Zooey’s singing is sweet, but old-timey. She does great justice to the singers of the 40s, 50s, 60s etc. Was that Matt imitating Louis Armstrong on “Stars Fell on Alabama”?
“Stars Fell on Alabama”
2. “Oh No, Not My Baby”
3. “It’s Not for Me to Say”
4. “Stay Awhile”
5. “This Girl’s in Love With You”
6. “Time After Time”
7. “She”
8. “Teach Me Tonight”
9. “It’s Always You”
10. “Unchained Melody”
11. “I’ll Never Be Free”
12. “Would You Like to Take a Walk”
13. “We’ll Meet Again”
What FUN! I suggest just starting the album and minimizing it. You can work at your desk, and have a great time with this authentic sounding retro trip. I am going to close my office door, and listen to it all morning. I will be filling out those agricultural chemical purchasing forms with a big smile on my face tomorrow.
Oh, Zooey-chan you are so wonderful …
… now if you will excuse me I will be busy fainting in happiness.
All She and Him albums are available as a high quality vinyl record. If you want me to send you one for Christmas, just ask.
Likes: Pop Culture, Humor, Japanese Culture, Iwasa Misaki, Hanako Oku, AKB48 History, Kurosawa films, Kimonos, Anime, Lolita fashion, Buddhist philosophy, and finding the perfect nicknames for my Pokemon.
A fansite; for old and new fans of AKB48 and all their domestic and international sister groups: (SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48, STU48, JKT48, BNK48, MNL48, AKB48 Team SH, SGO48, AKB48 Team TP, and CGM48)
Denny Sinnoh 
Written
on July 8, 2015