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Grad on Voicemail Gangsters

» 09 August 2008 » In Game, Guest Manifesto, Guide » 4 Comments


Grad on Voicemail Gangsters

Grad is a contributer to the G Manifesto on Side Hustles: The Art of Enhancing BankRoll, Why we do what we do? and Why It Pays to Be A First Mover.

Here is his take on Death Threats and Voice Mail Gangsters:

Michael,

How are you? I hope the summer is producing many knock-outs…
Unfortunately, Ive been on the grind and haven’t much time to tour the scenes. I just read your recent post regarding Voice Mail Gangsters and Text Message Bullies.
I must say your break down is extremely on point so with that I say, Kudos to you.

However you left out some key points, one of which is my personal favorite…
The “I know where you live” line that some brokester raps to me…
I always chuckle when I hear that one since more often than not,
I don’t know where I’m going to be next week… So unless they have some sixth sense they purchased at Pacific Sunwear, it holds no weight.
Its also comical because by the time they take the greyhound or cash in their credit card miles to find me, I’m gone.

The other consideration is that these guys are chumps. Instead of getting angry at the real culprit (their girlfriend), they get mad at us and leave bottomless threats. If they actually sat down to think about it, they’d realize, it’s the girls fault, not ours. Perhaps they were doing something wrong and left the girl with no choice but to cheat. But then again, maybe its their fault too.

There is one recent story that comes to mind regarding these faux gangsters…

I was entertaining some guests in town at the Hudson Hotel. While sitting at our table, suited down in a Kiton, three button grey chalk stripe bespoke number with a lavender Brioni shirt blown open, I was approached by two spikey haired dudes with barb wire tattoos. I had noticed these guys online outside when I walked in but now they seemed obviously more drunk. I suppose to they needed to fill up on liquid courage to approach me.

But that’s neither Peter Lugar or Sturm, Ruger.

Anyway, the more brazen of the two, said, “yo bro, were you hitting on my girl last week?” Of course, I looked puzzled and embarrassed, One because I try to avoid Papa Roach and his compadres and Two because I sincerely didn’t know who he was talking about. Smoothly and politely, I replied “I don’t know, which one is she?” and that’s when he got a bit enraged. This was obviously more embarrassing for me because he’s just going to make a scene. If I was in real trouble, I probably would not have seen them coming.

As Brokester 1 was talking I could feel one of my guests stand and I quickly around turned to quell the situation. As I turned back around to see Brokester 2 chime in, I interrupted him with a simple question… “Why is it my fault if your girlfriend plays you? She played you, not me… I’ve never been played before but if so, I highly doubt I’d approach you to talk about it” The question clearly struck him off guard as I could see thoughts of mediocrity inundate and paralyzed him. Images of overdrafted bank statements, cute face but overweight girls, sale items at Hollister and trophy chests with only JV letters ricocheted off his mind’s eye and piled together in one big sub-par lump. At that point he had no choice but to walk away, ashamed. While walking away, his friend turned around to say “youre lucky” but I smirked, luck has nothing to do with this equation.

To Health & Wealth

~ Grad

Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Pt. II

Rakim – Guess Who’s Back

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Guest Manifesto: Why It Pays to Be A First Mover

» 27 June 2008 » In Girls, Guest Manifesto, Guide, money » 9 Comments


Guest Manifesto: Why It Pays to Be A First Mover

As an international G, I’ve seen many places and met many people. Surprisingly though, I have never met anyone who has out-Gamed me. Sure, I’ve met people who are smarter than me or wealthier than me. And coincidentally, all of them have the same rap about being creative or innovative.

On a side note, I’ve never met anyone better looking than me.

But my point is, to truly be successful; you have to be a First Mover. Make other people follow you. At first, some might be hesitant or reluctant but with enough influence and persistence, everyone comes around.

Just this past week, while an old friend of mine was in New York, I had the opportunity to discuss this specific topic. My friend always had a knack for technology and made suitcases full of skrilla by simply pulling numbers out of thin air. When we were younger, he had done very well with the pin codes of analog cell phones and most recently his favorite past time is driving by a BestBuy and extracting credit card numbers via unsecured wi-fi connections. Apparently, being innovative with technology inherently gives you a Side Hustle. More than half of his revenue and profit derives from consulting companies on how to prevent exactly what he does.

Anyway, while in town on a “consulting” job, he was staying at the Mandarin and so we decided to break bread at Asiate (I recommend the cote de boeuf with roasted rib-eye and smoked potato). I arrived 15 minutes early suited down in a Paul Stuart soft brown Nailhead number (side vents & ticket pocket, of course), a solid crème colored Stefano Ricci shirt, dark brown Hermes tie and matching pocket silk. Needless to say, my bankroll could be listed in the Mitchell Report.

Surprisingly, my friend was already at the bar, casually dressed in a Loro Piana dark gray Vicuña sweater over a burgundy colored woven shirt and black Zanella pants. He was nonchalantly sipping on a 21 year old Balvenie Scotch Portwood while concurrently conversing with a 21 year old English Hardbody. But that’s neither NYMEX nor pyrex.

Over dinner he schooled me on the enormous profit potential in other countries that don’t have a fully operational internet because of their vulnerabilities and parallel desire for protection and security. I schooled him on the capital being thrown towards these emerging markets. It seemed that our future endeavors were going to become intertwined.

I told him about my Side Hustles and how I’ve been investing in developing nations for some time. Besides swapping US paper for Japanese Yen, I went on to say that like our street hustling counterparts, my dealings are mostly in BRICs.

As a cautious friend and G, I could see the uneasy feeling rushing over him…

It took a minute before he realized I was referring to Brazil, Russia, India, and China… Not the traditional raw.

Now That’s Certified

To Health & Wealth

~ Grad

Lupe Fiasco – Paris, Tokyo

2Pac – If My Homie Calls

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Guest Manifesto: Tax Time

» 08 May 2008 » In Guest Manifesto, Guide, money » 7 Comments


Guest Manifesto: Tax Time

Yo…get it…yo

Yo, we fortified live, supportin’ allies

The wack is tryin’ to shorten our lives, it sorta waters my eyes

But here is some’n the cryin’ talk about

The verse on that cassette you and cousin fought about
[Wordsworth]

G’s stick together and help each other out by sharing tax advice and tips, and in this Guest Manifesto that’s just what we’re going to do…

As we know, the G can be found in all corners of the globe; late breakfast at Le Cinq in Paris then flight to Hong Kong for dinner at The Felix in the Peninsula before flying out to Macau for a poker tournament; mobile like Bentley drivers, Louis Vuitton buyers, Jet fuel abusers, sippin’ on Pétrus.

What does this have to do with taxes?

Listen up, the first thing you need to know is that you can shake off The Man in your previous country as soon as you officially become non-resident there for tax purposes. In most cases, this means you expatriate for at least 183 days in a given tax year (and really, which G doesn’t enjoy posting up at 183 days in sunny tropical paradises?).

The next thing you need to know is that every nation has different tax rules relating to everything from the income you generate to the amount of that income you remit to a given country, from capital gains on assets, to the bottle of Goose at the bar or the Spa at the Ritz.

This means that you have to Be Informed of your likely taxation burden in your new nation before you commit to it ideally – and certainly get Structures and Solutions in place as soon as possible to ensure you are living, as tax efficiently as possible; keeping it hot like matches and on lock like latches.

Structures: Tropical islands where cost of living is low, but standard of living is high. Found in many 3rd world countries along the equator, places that have never seen a snowflake & girls are tan wearing bikinis year round.

Solutions: Luxury villas owned & operated by your friends/associates who want you to ‘house sit’ or ‘lock down the crib’ while they’re away — perhaps for years at a time. Fly restaurants & the hottest clubs, just so owned by your friend/associates & offer you the menu persona grata where the owners refuse your money.

Add structures & solutions together, and your actual cost for living becomes virtually nil, yet your quality of life is elevated, high like Pete Rock.

Pete Rock – His favorite tracks, the hip hop “high”, samples

As we know from The G Manifesto, G’s deal only in Ca$h, thick bankrolls & pockets bulging like the Himalayas. Dealing in Cash only, you stay off the radar on the one hand & attract model girls on the other; a win-win situation. Don’t think that The Man isn’t watching, he is, you have been warned.

Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.

Many people feel that they are working harder than ever, and paying more taxes than ever, with no real benefit in return. As an Expatriate G you really do have an advantage over Regular Guy ‘back home’ and you need to begin exploring your Manifesto Destiny as soon as possible.

Taxation in America: John Hancock was probably the leading tax evader in Boston, and props have to be given for his oversize signature on the Declaration of Independence — a defiant “buck the system” reminder to the British authorities that America was founded by tax rebels (whose rebellion eventually gave birth to the United States of America.)

Speak to a tax planning company that can take into account your tax history & current financial status, from your countries of residence to your assets protection requirements in order to insure that you make the most of your wealth, your assets are not at risk, that your financial & lifestyle position is secure. Make tax time a leisurely affair, involving Goose Mojito’s (more on that in another Guest Manifesto) and enjoying a tropical sea breeze, seaside & bird watching (and I don’t mean ornithology) i.

This is about getting the best “return on your money” and a higher standard of living for less — the essence of the G Manifesto.

As the People’s Champ says: The rest is up to you…

Tafari
The Poster Boy

Yo the time is wastin, I use the mind elevation
Dime sack lacin, court pen pacin
Individual, lyrical math abrasion
Psychic evaluation, the foulest nation
We livin in, dangerous lives, mad leak and battered wives
A lifestyle where bad streets is patternized

Chours: I made it like that, I bought it like that, I’m livin like that

Nas – Take it in Blood

Some said HOV, how you get so fly?
I said from not being afraid to fall out the sky
My physical’s a shell
So when I say farewell
My soul will find a even
Higher plane to dwell
So fly you shall
So have no fear, just know that
Life is but a beach chair (chair, chair, chair)
Jay-Z

Jay-Z – Beach Chair (Featuring Chris Martin)

i Refer to Bond 007 in Die Another Day

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Side Hustles: The Art of Enhancing BankRoll

» 23 November 2007 » In Guest Manifesto, Guide, money » 11 Comments


Guest G Manifesto: Side Hustles: The Art of Enhancing BankRoll

Although I have never met Michael formally, we have shared some correspondence regarding Side Hustles. In any occupation (at least any worth pursuing) there is usually always one big pay day or shall we say: Score. For Athletes, this may come as a signing bonus or perhaps after winning a tournament or fighting a bout (think huge novelty checks). For G’s and the like, it’s that final heist, the one that sets you up for life. For entrepreneurs, its bringing your company public. For a Platinum Digger, its that divorce you always waited for (no pre-nup, of course). For Bankers, its a Christmas bonus and for Lawyers, it’s that huge settlement (asbestos, pharmaceuticals, tobacco ect.).

On a side note… when you think about it, Fat Cat lawyers have the good life, they have their hands deep in products supplied to the street without being tied to the block. And their cut is a third off the top…But that’s neither Euro or Puro.

The point is, what do Professionals do while waiting for their Score? Some sit content and complacent while others pick up a some side scratch. Your guest writer (A banker by nurture and a G by nature) is cut from a cloth that insists upon side hustles. But before I go into further detail I must provide a little more color…

By definition, Side Hustles are those which bring in alternative revenue streams; they are not designed to nor should replace your Grand Hustle. In fact, a side hustle should directly relate to the core business. For example, Athletes do endorsements; G’s with deep connections put money in the streets with 2 points of vigor…weekly; Platinum Diggers hook their friends with plastic surgeons and Bankers put money in alternative investments (hedge funds and private equity).

Well back to the topic at hand…A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to discuss this subject with an old associate/mentor of mine and serious heavyweight in the Hedge Fund game. In true form to The G Manifesto, I think I was sporting a 3 button Heather Grey Etro suit with blue steel underlining to match the blue steel desert with mother of pearl handle tucked behind the jacket complementing the mother of pearl buttons on my powder blue Brioni shirt and Rolex Daytona watch face. Since trading Lenox Ave. for Park Ave, I haven’t had much need for the burner but I’m haunted by my past and I still love to accessorize.

Anyway, while dining at the Kobe Club on 58th Street, noshing on some saki cured salmon with tobiko cream cheese and bagel chips and ordering cuts of Kobe Beef like Shaquille O’Neal, my former mentor proposed a side business which he discovered while vacationing in Thailand. Countries like Thailand, Bali, Myanmar, The Salmon Islands, Comoros and the Philippines are in serious need of cheap building materials. Recognizing this need for cooper and steel, He asked if I wanted in on purchasing old decommissioned cruise ships and navy vessels, scraping the liners and selling the metals to these countries. This, of course, would be a side hustle. I would be putting my money to work for me. We raised our glasses of La Grande Dame and toasted to Health & Wealth.

On another side note… I would have probably agreed for free… this endeavor gives me an excellent opportunity to twist some Philippine princesses while overseeing construction of the landing strip near my vacation home.

In closing, sometimes ideas aren’t as easily presented to you nor is everyone in a position to let their money work for them. My advice would be to focus on your trade or craft. Understand your business and see what works. Try not to think too far away from your core business. Owning a car dealership with a body shop on the side is a prime example. The art of the hustle is complementing your current enterprise and utilizing existing ties and relations (think horizontal/vertical integration) . Side Hustles align businesses and build empires.

We all saw what happened to Nate Newton and Martha Stewart… Athletes shouldn’t push weight nor should Home Makers play with stocks.

Special Thanks to the Champ for lending me his site and audience

To Health & Wealth

~ Grad

O.C. – What Am I Supposed To Do?

Big Pun – How We Roll (sample of Janet Jackson- Let’s Wait Awhile)

Janet Jackson- Let’s Wait Awhile

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Guest G Manifesto: Top 10 American Criminals of all time

» 30 September 2007 » In Crime, Guest Manifesto, Guide » 9 Comments


Top 10 American Criminals of all time

Click Here for Secrets of a Superthief by Jack MacLean

So here is my Top 10 American Criminals of all time! What do I mean by Top 10? Well, to be honest, even I’m not too sure. I’m not limiting it to success (as a criminal), amount of valuables/money stolen, intelligence, bravado or audacity, but rather a mix of all of those and much more. There will be names here you might expect, and some you would never expect, and if you can better my list, feel free to email me on dinnertimebandit@gmail.com

First of all, let me say, there is one type of criminal I’ve never been interested in: bank robbers. With possibly the exception of Paddy Mitchell’s 90 Second “Stopwatch Gang”, I find bank robbers to be boring, far too violent, and just not that intriguing, so don’t expect to see any FBI photos of the Illinois “ninja bandit” on this list.

Alan William Golder aka “Dinnertime Bandit” (jewel thief) – www.dinnertimebandit.info Everything you need to know is there.

Click Here for Secrets of a Superthief by Jack MacLean

Peter Salerno (jewel thief) – “In anything that you read in the last 40 years in regards to jewel thieves, Peter Salerno’s name always comes up. And he’s the standard by which all other jewel thieves are judged.” ret. Det. Bill Adams on 60 minutes, quoted from www.dinnersetgang.com

What Salerno lacked in height, he made up for with front, attitude, a degree of class, skill, agility, fitness and strength. I’ve heard that some in the prison system call him Claws, for the brute strength in his upper arms.

Here is his Florida Dept. of Corrections page – http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveInmates/detail.asp?Bookmark=1&From=list&SessionID=175518737

Bill Mason (jewel thief) – If you’re looking for a talented jewel thief who targets people while they aren’t at home, then you probably won’t find many better than Bill Mason. He is rumoured to have stolen anywhere between $10-30 million in his criminal career, which, now, is beyond the statute of limitations. In his time he stole from Armand Hammer, Phyllis Diller, and many other rich socialite’s who were in the society pages. He co-wrote his book “Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief” with author Lee Gruenfeld. A terrific read.

D.B. Cooper, aka Richard Floyd McCoy (hijacker) – The sheer audacity of Richard Floyd McCoy is what gets him his rightful place here in the top 10 American Criminals of all time. Of all the ways to illegally “acquire” (read:steal) money, who on earth would really hijack a plane, then hold the plane company to ransom, and parachute out the back into the middle of nowhere.

Ex-FBI Agent Russell Calame wrote a book called “D.B. Cooper – The Real McCoy”, which is another must-read. If you would like to order a copy of his book, drop him a line on MaryRuss21@aol.com Thankfully he still has some copies.

Jack MacLean (professional burglar, jewel/cash thief) – With a genius level IQ, and an in-depth knowledge of police communications technology, Jack MacLean, aka “Superthief” stole $133 million in over 2,000 professional burglaries. Jack wore scanners concealed under a cape-like trenchcoat. Never left fingerprints, mess or ransacking, and was always careful to reset alarms and leave things as he found them. This guy was on top of his game. He released a book in 1983 called “Secrets of a Superthief”, but it’s now out-of-print, so it costs like $100-200 to buy online.

Click Here for Secrets of a Superthief by Jack MacLean

Zodiac Killer aka Gareth Penn (serial killer) (the California one, not Heriberto “Eddie” Seda from NY State, he was lame) – I know what you’re thinking, why is a serial killer in the top ten? Despite my reservations about putting a murderer on this list, Gareth Penn was indeed a mathematical genius, who managed to run rings around SFPD and Vallejo PD for over 30 years. Very recently his complex coded clues and maps were solved by a man called Christopher Farmer, who owns and runs a company called Opord Analytical. This guy deserves props. His study, which is over 60 pages, is here in PDF format, and is a book in itself.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=33637

http://www.opordanalytical.com/report/The_Zodiac_Killer.pdf

Unabomber (madman, extortionist, serial killer, serial bomber, anti-technology social house nigga) – Theodore John Kaczynski (born May 22 , 1942), also known as the Unabomber, is an American convicted murderer and social critic who carried out a campaign of mail bombings that killed three and wounded 23. He sent bombs to several universities and airlines from the late 1970s through early 1990s.

In his Industrial Society and Its Future (commonly called the “Unabomber Manifesto”) he argued that his actions were a necessary (although extreme) tactic by which to attract attention to what he believed were the dangers of modern technology. The Unabomber was the target of one of the most expensive investigations in the FBI’s history. [2]

The best information on the Unabomber is within the FBI Files documentary on him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA9mncDr_GA

Judy Amar (female professional burglar) – Judy Amar was the mastermind behind over 500 near perfect heists in Florida in the late 80’s. Amar had a hotel room stocked with wigs, clothing and make-up that she would use to disguise herself. She changed cars every week, and license plates daily. Her success as a burglar infuriated the police for over a decade.

Click Here for Secrets of a Superthief by Jack MacLean

I know I know, a woman on the top 10? But seriously, if you’re into crime, you need to know about Judy Amar. She was so successful that the Detective on her case ended up taking his work home with him daily for years on end, then suffered a near-fatal heart attack. She was almost a cop-killa-by-proxy! She was featured on a Masterminds episode.

Blane Nordahl (silver thief) – Blane Nordhal was a sterling silver expert… especially when it came to stealing it. Cutting a swath all over the northeastern seaboard of the United States, he targeted the wealthiest homes and plundered their silver heirlooms to the tune of millions of dollars. Ivana Trump, Bruce Springsteen and sportscaster Curt Gowdy all fell victim to this most inventive and discerning of burglars.

Stealing silver is to Blane, what a hit of crystal meth is to criminals in Tennessee: more than a high, but a pre-requisite for feeling alive.

You can look him up here on NY’s D.O.C. page, http://nysdocslookup.docs.state.ny.us/kinqw00 Unfortunately, no photo on his rap-sheet! There is a photo of him here though -> http://www.massmostwanted.org/index.cfm?ac=casedetails&CaseID=20040022

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blane_Nordahl

http://stephenjdubner.com/journalism/silverthief.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-12-23-cat-burglar_x.htm

James Mitchell DeBardeleben the 3rd – (Police defeater and serial sexual sadist) – As sickening as DeBardeleben’s crimes were, he was still a criminal mastermind to some degree. He would often sit down and write page after page of notes on how to defeat the police! He was a prolific note-writer. He sometimes wrote down gradual criminal progressions, what crimes he would build up to and how he would do them. For his planning, deep thinking, and defeat of the police, I’m afraid he has to make the top 10. It’s either him or Charles Ng, and I really don’t like Charles Ng’s face!.

Click Here for Secrets of a Superthief by Jack MacLean

DTB

www.dinnertimebandit.info

Firm Biz- Nas Foxy Brown Az (The Firm) feat. Dawn Robinson

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