"Piplup Answers The Call For Support" ft. PiplupITW | TRAINER'S EYE #191

PiplupITW 0:00

I am Piplup in the Wild, and this is my Pokemon story!

David Hernandez 0:42

Welcome to As The Pokeball Turns, where every trainer has a story. I'm David Hernandez, and I am joined by a Piplup in the wild that just appeared out of my room in the wild grass. Piplup, welcome to As The Pokeball Turns

PiplupITW 0:59

Thank you for having me!

David Hernandez 1:00

Absolutely, and I was happy that I could meet you at TrainerCon and you shared your story about you dressing up as Piplup. And, you know, we're gonna dive into that, but I wanted to start with a easy, fun question just to kind of break the ice, okay? so pretend you're walking around a card show dressed as Piplup as you do, when suddenly an actual Piplup walks through the door. Who do you think's more excited to see who, and what happens next?

PiplupITW 1:22

I would probably be more excited to see Piplup. I do dress like, him, uh, so I feel like it's meeting your favorite superstar or your favorite rock band member. I would definitely go wild.

David Hernandez 1:38

Would you go up and try to give it like a big hug? I can imagine you trying to like be Piplup to Piplup

PiplupITW 1:43

Oh, definitely. I love, when, people do that to me, so I would definitely do that

David Hernandez 1:47

Really? So people come up randomly and just hug you, or do they usually ask?

PiplupITW 1:50

Uh, usually it's the little kids that will just come up and hug me. I still am confused why they do that, but a lot of teenagers and adults will ask me first to take a picture, so it's, pretty awesome

David Hernandez 2:03

I think what's so unique is that you decided to come to these card shows dressed as a Piplup. And you know, we have cosplays before, but you stand out the most because I guess people don't expect to see a wild Piplup. But it begs the question, like, out of all the Pokemon, why is Piplup the Pokemon you decided to kinda come in dressed as?

PiplupITW 2:20

it is my daughter's favorite Pokemon. before we were living together, so we were able to share a lot of stories and stuff like that with them. my son actually got me into Magic: The Gathering. I've been playing with him for a while. and unfortunately they moved out. So I am a second empty nester kind of deal, you know? My, my kids are grown, so, we were lucky enough to move in with them again, and then, they moved out to California and pretty far away, so it's kinda crazy. and I miss them a lot, so one thing was, starting, a Pokemon binder for her. and Phantasmal Flames came out and I saw the Piplup, the full art one. I decided to start collecting. so that is why, Piplup is the one, 'cause it is my daughter's favorite.

David Hernandez 3:11

You mentioned you're an empty nester now, you know, which means the kids are 18 and plus. So you've been through all the ups and downs of being a parent. What do you think was the most rewarding part about raising your kids?

PiplupITW 3:23

I believe it was everything. it was a good and a bad thing 'cause I had my kids when I was 19. I had my daughter when I was 19. My wife was 18 and then we had my son when I was 21. So, it was hard trying to be kids raising kids kinda deal, you know?

David Hernandez 3:42

Yeah

PiplupITW 3:42

So we were, we were learning, at the same time they were. And fortunately we were able to bond and do a lot of things together. And made us a great family.

David Hernandez 3:54

You put it perfectly how you're kids raising kids 'cause, you know, you're fresh outta high school. In your 20s, you're trying to figure life out, what you wanna be, who you are, but you don't get that luxury because you've got a responsibility. And, you know, I applaud you for even just sticking with it as long as you have because that's a difficult challenge, and that's not something to take lightly. And now that your kids are grown, I'm sure you must be very proud of the work you have done with your kids.

PiplupITW 4:19

Definitely super proud, especially, my daughter actually being first college graduate in the family. first to go to college, first to graduate, so, it's awesome. And then my son went into the Army and, did his service. So very, very proud of how they turned out. And then he got out and he's working at a card store, so

David Hernandez 4:43

that's awesome.

PiplupITW 4:44

yeah, so he's following his dream for sure.

David Hernandez 4:47

So you mentioned how you started the Piplup collection because of your daughter, if I remember

PiplupITW 4:53

Yes.

David Hernandez 4:53

also why you dressed as Piplup. Was it because of you just missing her is kinda why you started it, or what was the reason behind starting this collection?

PiplupITW 5:02

Uh, yes. It, it was, uh, missing my kids. It was missing them a lot, I used to have, Magic games with my son almost every other night. And kinda missed that, bond and, you know, messing around and talking and it's hard when, you know, you go into their room and it's empty, and you're like, "Man," So, definitely that's why i really miss them and to this day, it kinda hard to be like, They're not here."

David Hernandez 5:29

I mean, in a way it's almost like grieving in a way, except, you know, they're still here obviously, you know, they're alive. But it sounds like you built such a ritual of doing things together. You know, you talk about how you played Magic with your son. I'm sure you did things with your daughter as well, including Pokemon. What did you kinda do with them together that you remember fondly?

PiplupITW 5:50

Oh my gosh, we've-- Through the years we've done so much. When they were little, we used to go to cleanups. So, we would do cleanups at the beach, cleanup at the park. I believe it was a whole group that, you know, they announced it, and they would show up, and we would go and clean up. We did a lot of cleanups. My daughter was, fortunately a good student and we were able to do a lot of stuff like, college stuff go see colleges. I actually got a lot of free dinners 'cause she was a good student, so, um they would invite us, uh, you know. And, uh, definitely, not one thing, it was just a lot, a lot of stuff. You know, we would take bike rides. It was a lot of stuff that we did that all around, you know. It's, it, it was hard Especially, like, even sometimes we would just sit down and talk and, you know, it would be hour or two and just her letting me know everything and just the words that she would just... It, it's hard to be here and not hear her talk.

David Hernandez 6:59

You know, I think we hear how often it is important for parents to kind of spend time with kids like that. But we don't ever hear the other side of how much of an impression it leaves for the parents. And just listening to your words, it just sounds like you're filled with such emotion just thinking about all of the things y'all used to do together. And I applaud you because the things that I always remember from my parents. I don't remember the things they got me or the things they bought. I don't remember those. I remember my dad making a makeshift bottle football goal for me to where I could kick a football over a goal. I remember the time where we went together and fed the ducks. Like, those little moments that we did meant so much to me, and I can only imagine how much, if I was to flip the script and talk to your kids, they would probably say the same thing if not more, like, "Yeah, me and my dad, my dad loved me because we did so much together."

PiplupITW 7:48

Oh, yes. No, I was lucky enough, that they both... one came to visit me. My daughter came to visit me and I was lucky enough to take her to a show. And, it was really nice for her to tell people, "Yeah, that's my dad," you know? And, and same with my son, he came, and I also took him to a show, and he also mentioned, "Hey, that's my dad," you know? And it's, it's, it's really-- It makes me proud.

David Hernandez 8:13

So your kids have seen you in the Piplup costume, I assume

PiplupITW 8:16

Yes! My daughter loved it. My son was like, "Whoa, I didn't know that head was so big." But they really enjoyed it

David Hernandez 8:27

That's awesome. Now, do you remember the first show you ever went to dressed as Piplup?

PiplupITW 8:32

Yes, it was actually, a show here in Forney. And I only had the Piplup mask like the head. I didn't have the whole suit. And I just took it. I wasn't expecting, like, the, the people to be so awesome, you know, so kind and so, you know, "Hey, that looks good," and, "Can I take a picture?" that really surprised me. I was not expecting that

David Hernandez 8:57

So was there like a huge reaction when they saw you walk through the doors, I assume?

PiplupITW 9:02

Uh, yeah, it's, quite a reaction that I got. Got that like head turn around like, "Whoa." And, you know, people are like, "Hey, that's Piplup." And it was quite the reaction. It, it made me feel pretty good.

David Hernandez 9:13

Now, I can only imagine, like for me, I'd be self-conscious doing that thing. Was there any like second thoughts before going in that, "Is this a good idea or not?" Like, did that ever go through your mind?

PiplupITW 9:24

Oh, yes. No, definitely. The mask was actually done and I actually didn't go to like two shows because of my anxiety, and I was like, "Oh my God, I can't do this." "Oh my God, you know, they're gonna laugh at me," or, "They're gonna kick me out," or, you know, just all these bad things going through your head. But my wife, she's like, "Dude, just go. It's gonna be fun. You're gonna enjoy it," you know? So my wife really helped me, push me to get to do it.

David Hernandez 9:53

I like how you said your wife supported you through this entire, I guess, idea of dressing up as a Piplup, right? did she just find joy in it, or did she feel like it was important for you to do this? Like, I'm kinda curious?

PiplupITW 10:04

Uh, I feel like both, because out of the blue, I think it was a Monday after work, I told her, Hey, do you think you could make a Piplup mask?" And she was like, "Challenge accepted." And all of a sudden, like we have a balloon and then a paper mache, and we're making this mask and it was really cool for both of us to work on it and have that bond between me and her also.

David Hernandez 10:34

And it's kinda cool. I didn't know she made it. So this is all handmade that what she wears, she made it herself?

PiplupITW 10:40

Yes, yes. Uh, we uh, yeah, we, she, well, she did 80%. I probably did 20,

David Hernandez 10:49

Okay. It was still a little team effort.

PiplupITW 10:53

But yes, after that first one, she was like, "Okay, I need to get you the whole suit." so she got me some yellow sandals, and that whole blue suit we put... Uh, we made the whole, cape thing. it was awesome for her to take pride in that

David Hernandez 11:10

Now, you know, you were already a couple months, or we're already further along now where you've dressed as Piplup a couple shows now. And you're more comfortable now than you were back then, I would safe to say. What do you hope people feel whenever they see you walk in dressed as Piplup?

PiplupITW 11:24

I love the smiles. I love the little kids coming up to me and then asking to take a picture. I've had adults. I've had grandmas. I don't know if it's for them, but for me it fills this like container that kinda like all the joy from people and the smiles just fill it up and, and it's just an awesome feeling. for doing it for so many shows now, I feel like I'm expecting the smiles, I'm expecting people to give me that side eye like, "ooh," you know. it's an awesome feeling.

David Hernandez 11:57

I think people definitely feel joy. I know I felt joy seeing you, and it's just kinda cool to see, you know, you encompass a Pokemon that people love. It's a starter. People know who Piplup is. It's not one of the forgettable ones. And it's easy to kind of feel smile and then to take pictures. Like, I mean, it's gotta feel so rewarding, like you said, and just feel like so many different emotions. And almost in a way you're kinda reliving the life of being a dad again, 'cause those kids are kinda maybe remind you of when your kids were younger, I assume.

PiplupITW 12:25

Yes. and I do believe that's one of the biggest things is, seeing the smiles on little kids, you know, and being able to just make their day or even just, you know, put a smile on, on them. I actually have a bunch of GoPro footage that I'm supposed to like, load and put it on and I just watch it and It's just awesome. I can't. It's a lot of work, but just watching it just makes me feel really good

David Hernandez 12:53

Now you said you also collect Piplup cards, right?

PiplupITW 12:55

Yes, uh, I'm collecting the Phantasmal Flame one. s- so far I have, I believe, 82 copies. so yes, I've been, been working hard on that

David Hernandez 13:06

What is it about the Phantasmal Flames Piplup that makes you wanna collect only that one?

PiplupITW 13:11

well mostly it, it's the price 'cause it's not too expensive. this folder's gonna be for my daughter. So I think this is gonna be the, best one. And not only that but, she actually drew it. She's a good artist so she drew it and we made stickers. So when people ask for a picture I give the kids stickers of Piplup so

David Hernandez 13:32

Dude, that's so awesome. That's amazing

PiplupITW 13:36

So yeah, so every time, I go to the show my wife prints out stickers so I can give out.

David Hernandez 13:43

Well, Piplup, I wanna finish on this last question. It's actually kinda goes back to your origin story before your daughter even grew up. And it's the idea of being a young dad at the age of 19. What advice would you give dads who are fresh, you know, baby's born maybe a month or two old? Like, what advice would you give them?

PiplupITW 14:02

It's hard, but I would say, just pay attention to your kids. keep them in mind, and just listen to them. even when they're babies, they're just not having words, but, you know, just listen to them and watch them grow. life goes really fast. They grow up really quick. one thing I did do is, take a lot of pictures. You know, put a video camera and just set it down and let it record. I have some of those old videos, and it's just awesome to see them when they were babies definitely, if you can, record them. But listen to them and play with them and do whatever you can with them, you know. sometimes all it takes is you sitting down with them and, and reading a book. but please make them their priority, like your priority. and they'll come out great.

David Hernandez 14:52

Thank you for listening to As the Pokeball Turns, where every trainer has a story. If this episode resonated with you, share the episode with a fellow trainer, and follow the podcast for more voices, more journeys, and more memories. I'm David Hernandez, and remember, your next Pokemon adventure begins here!