Heatwave Splash Event July 2021: The Story Of A Virtual Business
- Hiro Kikido
- Jul 3, 2021
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 3, 2021
Hello everyone sorry for the delay, i did say 3 days but this was more than 3 days so i do apologies.
Here are the updates for the events. The dates has been changed it wont be the 23rd of July, i will move it to July 25th Sunday. Starting at 12:00 pm and Ends at Midnight 12:00 am, Mountain Time zone.
I am also removing "I know what you did this summer" will no longer be including it through the events. Due to a complications
with another content creator avoiding copy right event names.
We will only focus with "Heatwave Splash" The main event for our special day.
All lot of people have concerns why am i doing this huge giveaway and whats the reasons i came up with this "RIDICULOUS" Idea
Back then i did familiar giveaway that the leader won $50.00 but the team didn't get a single piece of the action this was Christmas Giveaway and they complained and got upset they didn't get any winnings. So as part of Heatwave Splash i have modified it to make it even for all.
Before i can get into the details here are the rules of the Main Event.
The Story of a Virtual Business.
So, a long time ago. I joined IMVU in 2006 and I met the most amazing incredible person in there. We we're young dumb and broke like that song goes :D. His name was Terrance Krave Joseph. we both we're new to virtual worlds we saw it so exciting! fun to be part of it. I told him about how i love baking that i graduated from culinary in Mexico i told him about my hobbies that i am into photography, an old soul music lover, drawing anime and editing AMV. He also shared his passion what he does in life, besides helping people. He was studying medicine to cure many diseases in this world we live in, he loved anime, he loved photography as well but mainly he sucked at cooking some crafting tools to fix stuff in his broken home.
After being in IMVU for 1 year using Windows XP as our PC software Krave and I decided to start a Business which will last for at least 3 years. However, that Business boomed and lasted as far as 2012. Our Business and official club name was called "Ocean Sky" and our first ever Giveaway events room was named "Aurora Night" it was all about the private and comfort of a open room with a URL Link to join, not public but unlisted.
And old document still saved in my drive and a picture taken this very moment, that dates back in 2008. When Ocean Sky was at its peak of one of the best clubs in its days, with a payroll and payments we're first with credits. Creators creating banners, Stickers, furniture and rooms for our custom brand name.
Krave and I worked around the clock, 24/7 day & night, every single year. it was prestigious just like we imagined. Also tiring -_- but we had people on WordPress, Blogger talking about imvu and our amazing little business. helping creators in investing on a loan with us. it was very magical and to do these things away from reality. A place to escape reality to enjoy your time with your friends and like open minded people like us. As time passed we recruited many other users which turned into a big corporation, we use to have our own forum, talking about how we can sell our prices of credits. Back then imvu use to let you sell credits in third party websites for a cheaper price although in real life you could make big in profits.
Clubs, Strip clubs, Escorts, Photography, sponsoring etc. Investing our credits, time and real money to give profits and ideas to Owners how to make it popular in the process of time.
When "Aurora Night" Hit the Charts in the public rooms it was trully a joy to have for the very first time "Guests_" welcomed. Krave back then didn't like the fact Noobs we're joining, when they we're the troublemakers that only bring their drama into rooms. I was more of a transparent person, i didn't excluded the beginners away from the fun, when they also had AP but not name registered it wasn't big deal for me. I made Krave realize that "Weren't we noobs when we first came to IMVU?" Why should we act like other owners and creators not letting them enjoy the fun too. This place is a virtual messenger just like MSN Messenger yet in the Virtual state of mind where you have an Avatar. Krave had issues with it in the beginning but then when he saw that the room became popular because the way i saw things and had it all under control. He was impressed we got more people joining our forum and more people to create getting their VIP .
In 2010 Krave wanted me to Launch "Revolution Anime" as part of a learning animation class and photography since he knew i was into building a highly new and classified project. Krave admired my small AMVs. When i was a Teen before he met me, i was using Movie Maker part of Windows XP program. Krave went into my youtube channel an old one and looked at it before Youtube was a big Corporation. He saw future in there and pushed me to finish that project as soon as possible to include it in his forum. Yet i told him no, i am not ready to release Project XRXA into the world. He kept on saying we can even make it bigger in IMVU and back then Second Life was growing as well he wanted to start a newer business into there, when i wasn't familiar with Second Life. I still denied him my project. I mention him that this part of the project wasn't for Virtual worlds it was more about Stories based in Artwork with AMV. i been working on this ever since in 2004.
Krave was disappointed in me, Hell, we even got into a big argument and fight over that crazy unfinished project. We ended up not talking for months but then he came forward and apologies for his actions. That we shouldn't be fighting over a dumb stupid invention. I remind him that real friends shouldn't be fighting over stupidity that's Virtual Although, not to put it out there like other great visions i had and he did explained me that, i am just throwing away a good opportunity to get more profit into it.
I went along and said to him "Someday... Maybe Someday Revolution Anime will shine a light in the Internet but not yet, Not anytime soon."
In 2012 When i deleted my account not thinking i could have deactivated. because i wanted a break, in the end.... i ended up making new one in 2012. Till this day i still have that account. a Reminder of how old i am getting, growing up with IMVU with great memories.
Some of the staff we had moved on with their lives, some got married and had kids. Krave pulled the plug in November of 2012 he shut down his forum, killed the deal with the WordPress writer and Blogger. (The Golden Age of Virtual Business) came to end for him. When he gave a free classes online how to make it big in popularity on public rooms. A woman (User) took his idea and stole all his work and posted in a website. A Big Scandal erupted, My friend had no choice but to back down and forget about all of this bullshit. He took a small vacation after graduating Medical school met his new life and Sweetheart in Italy on his little trip. He married her, i was invited to the wedding in real life. and we were still amazing close friends, i even baked them a small Anniversary Cake :D he liked it, he hugged me and said we will never lose each other and will grow old together. I said FUCK YEA! lol
Moving forward into 2019 Krave was getting out of the Hospital to get home and cook a big dinner for his kids and wife to celebrate 4th July, It was me, a dear friend of the business back in those glorious days in IMVU. & 2 other more people. (Yes we all met in person, we all wanted to do this idea so we can meet the amazing persona behind the Avi pixels, we kind made it a thing :p a long time ago) I still meet my friends on VU and Second Life in person. Hey!, what can i say, i love travelling & having fun catching up with great people and creators.
We were all there, i took a flight to Los Angeles to see my friends, Krave and my brother on the way. Missing my Hometown, Krave and i we use to Hit Venice beach and seal beach with my bestie for a cold ass swim daring for a bet of 50 bucks who can swim naked in the cold night and come back. lol
Krave wasn't Bisexual, although more into a curiosity and Downlow but her Wife knew, she was a open minded and very loving respected character she didn't judge.
We went to see who was at the door and saw lights of color, its the police; the officer asked if Terrance lived here, we all said yes. Krave couldn't believe it but his family was never going to make it for dinner. and it was the last time he will ever see the alive. Krave's wife, and their 3 kids had fatal car accident on the intersection the 91 riverside freeway. The officer holding a bloody license with her wife face with the address on. They told him to go to the hospital and see them. i drove him to Kaiser Permanente intensive care. Krave lost the most beautiful thing in his entire life. watching him break into pieces, devastated me. I try to hold him but he pushed me aside and told all of to leave him be, i was there for his family funeral, a man torn apart from his life away, from his kids and beloved wife. Made him hate the world & despise assholes who texted while driving .
Soo... Why this story? What is it important for the Giveaway? It is Important for me as it is for my friend Krave to make one last Giveaway Project that he invented but couldn't make it come true. The $100.00 is coming from my pocket half of it $50.00 also from his wallet. He told me "whatever happens make sure that this Last event of mine comes to a final resting place."
And I Hiro Kikido am keeping this promise i made to him.
Terrance Krave Joseph was diagnosed with cancer. Stage 4
Last week was my last phone call i made with him and told him that his last giveaway i'm still making it happen. He told me he was in loved with me but didn't wanted to be judged for his downlow side. i am nobody to judge so i loved that guy so much. Krave spilled all of his emotions towards me. we said our goodnights.
July 1st Thursday 2021 7:45 am Krave took his own life, hanging himself at his Santa Barbara balcony in his beach home. He was only 34 years old. I went to L.A. to burry my friend that i known for life, the one i cherished for a Virtual friend, a one of a kind.
So I Celebrate "Our" 15th Year Anniversary Together even if you are not here but Spiritually. The last of your legacy my dear friend.
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