Author: thehopehitman2
I have a long history in Virtua as a trader (not as long as some but longer than most). My story is filled with mistakes, friends that have come and gone (and even some that returned after great absences), enemies, secret clubs, and a little politics.
During my time in The Federation I have talked to many traders and made many friends, but there are those select few that stand out in my mind as great Virtuans. The list is long and I could go on and on about Virtuan legends such as Goudie, riemer_1990, White Queen, Sahib, V23bsktbll, Xplay, Markallen3, Clarky22m2 and Billy Green but this list is far too great to complete properly. So I will share with you how I met two traders that are still with us and active in our Virtuan society; their names being Tuned and riser.
I was a young trader when Tuned and I first met (I’ve long since forgot the trade period but it was somewhere around trade period 66 I believe). I was stupid then and not a very good trader but I was interested in the newspaper Tuned ran called “The Begonia”. There were many people involved with the production of that Virtuan newspaper that I had heard stories about and respected very much. So one day I approached Clarky22m2 (he was an editor at the time) with an idea for the paper. It would be a series of interviews, each spotlighting an up and coming trader with high potential and give them a chance to make their story heard. To my surprise they listened and none other than me, thehopehitman2, was chosen for the first interview. I was very nervous about being in the paper and I couldn’t wait for that edition to be published (I hope that article is saved somewhere deep in Tuned’s files, it would be nice to read again). After that edition my relationship with The Begonia grew and Tuned offered me a spot on the team writing articles, which is when I wrote one of my more memorable articles “A Change of Tactics” which was republished in the TMC almost 20 trade periods later with the same message holding true. From there my friendship with Tuned grew and ended as quickly as it started. We both went our separate ways and took a long break from The Federation. But recently we have both returned and caught up on old times and even work together again. Tuned gave me the foot in the door and encouragement I needed to gain my editor degree long ago and for that I will always be grateful.
Although my history with riser does not reach as far into the past, it is still an interesting story. We both met in one of riser’s first rounds (the second I believe) and I had just come back to the Federation after a long break hungry to finally earn my advanced status after many rounds of failed attempts as a young trader in Nasdaqar (my best place in that city was 35th in my third trade period). Yearning for a new beginning I moved to Cashington where the trade had always been the best in previous periods when I was present. I met riser there and he was trading pumps and engines hoping for the same thing I was, a chance at a top-20 spot. We talked trade often, updated each other on sales and gave advice. That trade period I beat riser in the rankings, me in 23rd and him in 24th. That trade period was a special one, it marked the closest me and riser had ever gotten to the top-20 and it also would prove to be the last time I ever beat riser in the end rankings. The next period me and riser both gained our advanced status together; we wore that shiny gold “plus” like a medal of honor although riser earned his with a 3rd place ranking and me with a measly 18th. But to me that didn’t matter, we had both done it, it just took me a few more trade periods and I have long since realized that there are many traders greater than me, riser being an obvious one. That “kid” that was with me when I gained my advanced status went on to win a round for virtua and become the president of our beloved country. In a way I’m proud of him, in a way I would like to think I helped him in some way to achieve those goals (or at least make the journey more interesting for him). That is what I will always remember riser for, being the trader I once wished I was, and helping me learn that I am thehopehitman2, no more no less.
I wished I could share all my stories but I have already rambled for far too long as it is, I would like to thank all the traders who have helped me grow into who I am today and were always there as a friend. I hope I can help a young trader reach his goals someday, just like so many did for me.