The G Manifesto

Why I love a Down Economy?

All you hear these days is Regular Guy whining about having no Dough in the Down Economy. More negative energy floating around than at Biggie’s funeral. But everything is going to be alright this morning.

As you know by now, The G is a breed apart. We got our Mojo working. G’s are kneading more Dough than Wolfgang Puck at Spago’s in the 80’s.

Sure G’s like to diss things that need dissing: Bottle Service, Mortgage Brokers, Restaurants serving crappy Dungeness crab cakes, Police, Guys wearing Glittery Christian Audiger shirts, white girls who can’t dance and favor flip-flops over high heels etc. But generally speaking we like to keep positive vibrations.

The Up Economy was cool (actually it has been stylistically, culturally and intellectually the worst decade yet, but that is neither Marinella ties nor Colombian Pies. I will address in a future Manifesto), but the Down Economy is even better:

Girls coming out the Woodwork

I am sure everyone has noticed this. Ever since the Down Economy has been in full effect, girls have been coming back like Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins. At least twice a day, I get little girls lost re-contacting me with calls and texts. It has gotten to be so sublime and ridiculous that I am actually kicking around the idea of out-sourcing to India a secretary to field all my incoming calls and texts a la The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. I think the reason for this goes something like this:

Honey dip settled for some striped shirted fool in the wack BMW whip during the Up Economy. Now “Guy” is out of work, out of dough and can barely afford his sparkly Ed Hardy shirts and queer ripped jeans, let alone a night out on the town or his condo mortgage payment. Now girl remembers you as the brutally handsome, sharply dressed G who was LA, next week MIA, the week after BA. Little does she know, as far as giving up green, “I ain’t the one”. But, I will get Brain like a “know it all”.

Heists

“Note Jobs” are up at Banks. So are “Smash and Grabs”. This only makes it easier for high-end Heistmen like your humble author to ply his trade, as police resources are being used up. Drug dealers are making more money these days, too. Independent dealers are on the rise. All the better to Standover, Oh my Brothers. If you want some pretty polly…you take it.

Public Opinion Improved

Girls are so desperate these days, you can actually, finally, tell the truth about what you do for a living. Just the other night, as an unofficial case study, I told a fly Platinum Digger with light Grey Eyes and lies, when she asked me what I did for a living I said, “I rob Drug Dealers.” The Platinum Digger actually responded, “Wow. That seems like a good job… must pretty recession proof”. In 2005 she would have been running away like Usain Bolt, had I been honest.

Wearing Flash Suits

Suits have more punch these days than Andre Berto. Everyone, and I mean everyone loves the well dressed, International Playboy/Heistman/Peoples Champ in these grim economic times.

Bring terror, like C4, and boom step in the room with a Custom one button Saville Row suit with Claret red interior, Borelli shirt, Brioni Pocket Square, Berluti shoes, and lighting a cigarette with a Dunhill lighter and you will have girls locking jaws on you like one of Michael Vick’s prized pitbulls. It’s mad Scary. Like Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”, lyrical poisonous darts or macroeconomic charts.

And with Great Britian’s Drop in currency value since a year ago at 23%, it’s about time to pick up some new Saville Row suits. Trust me, they will pay for themselves.

CASH

Having a huge Bankroll these days is more rare than the seared Ahi at Masa in NYC. So it goes without saying, that having a huge Bankroll is going to drive girls wilder than an opium dusted, bi-polar-crack head drinking Cisco waving around a malfunctioning deuce-deuce. Mascara is melting off China Dolls when you flash rolls. And I am not talking about Beans either.

Music

It hasn’t happened yet, but with tough economic times comes better music. Hip Hop has had an atrocious decade, but with DC’s own Wale and some other dope new school non-hip hop shit, I think we are going to see a turn around. Like Immortal Technique says “The bling-bling era was cute but it’s about to be done, I leave you full of clips like the moon blocking the sun”.

Wale Feat Duffy - Warwick Avenue

Money Making

Making money is actually easier in many ways in a Down Economy. Less clowns all up in the Game. Less talkers. More takers. (See The Top Ten Ways to Make Money in a Down Economy). Just don’t forget to give back to the less fortunate.

Smoking

With less liquid CASH around (and I don’t mean Chris Paciello’s 90’s Miami Beach Nightclub Liquid that I used to hold court at as a young Proto-type G either) girls have less money and get more fiendy for cigarettes. Which means you will have more little girls “setting out that line” at the witching hour every night. Which means you have more chances to throw Voodoo on Fly Girls. And you know I got the Black Cat Bone, mojo bag, the John The Conqueroo and I am going to mess with you. Mean Mannish Boy. Hoochie Coochie Man and all that.

Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy (1971)

Also, in the Down Economy, restaurateurs have less say on whether or not you can smoke jacks in their spots. What are they going to do? Tell you that you can’t smoke when you are their best customer? Light up. And feel the elegant nicotine high. Fly pelican fly.

Rivals

I would love to say I don’t feel pleasure in others failure. But to be honest, I do. I love to ash on my rivals mangled and bloodied bodies decaying in a 5 foot deep lime pit. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Travel

Traveling is so much easier these days. Way shorter security lines. Sick Hotels, in sick trouble, are offering rooms at prices akin to a mean streets Ghetto flop house. Even Las Vegas can be done on the cheap. Wynn Las Vegas was offering rooms for $169 on a Friday recently. I felt like I was pulling a Heist. (I don’t have to tell you I got my Encore Tower Suite Deluxe King comped. Over 2,200 square feet of Luxury, in case you didn’t know.)

And with the Australian Dollar down 28% this year, it’s time again to Swoop Girls and Influence People.

Restaurants

Getting your favorite table at a restaurant is even easier than swooping a slip-sliding Nightlife Princesses in a Down Economy. Restaurateurs even pro-bono you more. Plus, you don’t have as many Red State tourist yokels leaning over your shoulder asking, “Whaat is thaat your eatin’?” when you are trying to relax and enjoy some Foie Gras and a glass of Red.

More Foreign Girls

The Down Economy has made more Euro girls come to America (we will see if it holds up), so you can swoop way more of them without leaving the USA. They may call you a Lothario, a seductor, a séducteur or a freak but the fact remains I swoop a different fly girl every day of the week.

The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA The 7th Prince
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

N.W.A - I ain’t the one

Muddy Waters - Hoochie Coochie Man (1971)

The Lee Murray MMA Heist Story

A little while back, DevX wrote a Guest Manifesto: ENTER ACTION WITH BOLDNESS, that featured Street Hood turned MMA Fighter turned Superstar Heistman Lee Murray.

Here are two videos of the story:

The Lee Murray MMA Heist Story Part 1

The Lee Murray MMA Heist Story Part 2

The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA The 7th Prince
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

One button Suits VS Two Button Suits VS Three Button Suits

This question came from yourfavoritewritersfavoriter:

“What is your opinion of the 1 button suit?”

Funny you ask, I have been rocking tons of One Buttons lately and chopping it up like a chainsaw thru Nutella. (And I love Nutella.)

Although I am no fashion historian, I would say it goes like this:

One Button Suit: Kind of Jazz man smooth. Rat pack steez. Stylishly sleek. Good for picking up Models and Nightlife Princesses. For the Nightshift. Swooping fly girls on the veranda overlooking the Med. Suit worn not because you have to wear a suit for work.

Two Button Suit: Universal. Biz Stilo. Works well on all builds. Good all around battle tested swoop gear. Timeless. JFK.

Three Button Suit: 60’s Mod style. Good for taller cats. Can be Rakish.

Side note:

Four Button Suit: NFL wide receiver. A la Michael Irvin.

Five Button Suit (and up): Hoops. Charles Oakley.

But Like my Grandfather always told me; “Style and Taste are for men. Trends and Fashion are for the ladies.” G’s stick with Style and Taste.

The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

Commodores - Nightshift

Liars poker

Down Economy: Bar Poaching

Its no secret that I am not a fan of credit cards. I prefer CASH.

With the Down Economy, younger G’s I know have been telling me about a phenomenon that has been gathering speed: Bar Poaching.

Yet another reason not to use credit cards

Bar Poaching is when someone at the bar overhears the name on your tab and continues to order drinks on your tab.

And at the end of the night when you go to pay, you get racked. Unless of course, you are using a fake credit card, which is acceptable.

You have been warned.

Just hope people the poachers don’t hit you for Bottle Service, credit card guy.

CASH has way more style points anyway.

Side Note:

I don’t Bar Poach. I can afford drinks. Furthermore, I get pro-bono’d almost everywhere anyways.

The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your favorite International Playboy’s, favorite International Playboy
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

Gemini & Lupe Fiasco - We On

Wale disses Ed Hardy

The G Manifesto’s Best Break out Hip-Hop Artist, Wale disses Ed Hardy.

Great work.

The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your favorite International Playboy’s, favorite International Playboy
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

wale - Get throwed

Wale & 9th Wonder - HHG Freestyle

Wale’s Elitaste disses Ed Hardy

It’s not secret that I have distain for Ed Hardy and “Ed Hardy Guy” and have waged a personal war against the latter. (Just like I waged a victorious campaign against “Shiny Shirt Guy”, “Trucker Hat Guy” and “Striped Shirt Guy” before him.)

Chris R sent me the info on Elitaste dissing Ed Hardy:

Let’s face it, most of the people who read this site probably hate Ed Hardy as much as Wale does. I used to hate Ed Hardy. And don’t get me wrong, you would never catch me wearing it. But here’s what I’ve realized about Ed Hardy (and you can throw Von Dutch, Christian Audigier and Affliction in there too), as much as I hate them, never before has a clothing company told you so much about the person wearing it. With the rise of streetwear over the past few years, you have all these kids aspiring to be something or associated with something, but with Ed Hardy, there is like ZERO irony in wearing it. People genuinely think it’s cool. They aren’t TRYING to be cool. They actually think they’ve achieved coolness and that Ed Hardy is the tits when it comes to t-shirts (or trucker hats with roses and rhinestones). The poor decision-making that goes into incorporating Ed Hardy into a wardrobe is very telling about someone’s taste and thought process. With that said, I have turned my disdain of Ed Hardy into something of a human litmus test; a sort of fashion iodine that exposes douchebaggery. Although I think athletes can be exempted from this, as I saw Michael Beasley get turned away from Villa (a very hot club in LA) for wearing Ed Hardy. He just doesn’t know any better.

Source

It’s about time. Maybe the world is changing.

For the better.

The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your favorite International Playboy’s, favorite International Playboy
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

Wale Feat Duffy - Warwick Avenue

Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach Back in Action

MARILYN RUBINSON recalls her stays at the Fontainebleau hotel as a series of high-fashion snapshots. There were afternoons at the cabana, “a blue hotel towel wrapped around my head like a turban and wearing high-heeled Lucite shoes,” she said. There were evenings at the Gigi Room, rubbing shoulders with New York’s dashing mayor, John V. Lindsay; and she remembers sweeping down the dramatic lobby staircase in a form-fitting, stone-colored gown. “In those days everyone made an entrance,” Mrs. Rubinson, 84, said. “I made lots of entrances.”

In that heady era the hotel was the diadem of Miami resorts, a 560-foot-long, sickle-shaped showplace dominating the Collins Avenue waterfront, where Miamians like the Rubinsons, who own a chain of clothing stores, and well-to-do snowbirds came in the winter to roost.

“Everyone who was anyone was there,” Mrs. Rubinson said. “People wore black tie and jewelry. Everyone was young.”

And everyone lived large at the flamboyant resort, conceived from its outset to evoke a modern Versailles. “It was the place for entertainment, for glamour — an icon even among the locals,” said Cathy Leff, the director of the Wolfsonian museum of design here. “Even now if one asks, ‘Within the city of Miami Beach, what is the most important landmark in the popular imagination?’ it would be the Fontainebleau.”

Can an icon of the past be restored to its former glory? New owners and architects of the Fontainebleau have invested $1 billion to buy and restore it in the conviction that it can. Its original fusion of Modernist rigor and Hollywood cheek, dreamed up by the maverick architect Morris Lapidus, was derided as Bronx baroque, until the singular style of Miami Beach was rediscovered by the Ian Schrager generation.

“In its day in the ’50s and ’60s, the Fontainebleau was state of the art in glamour,” said Jeffrey Beers, the New York architect responsible for an extensive update of the interior. “We would like to restore that in spirit.”

When the refurbished resort is officially unveiled on Nov. 14 with a series of parties and a taping for television of a Victoria’s Secret fashion show — perfect! — visitors will be able to judge for themselves if the mission succeeded. Even recently, as the hotel was still a construction site, it was clear that the old duchess had flounced out her skirts.

“How many places like this can you go in America that are not in the desert?” said Jeffrey Soffer, executive chairman and majority partner of Fontainebleau Resorts, which is building a Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. Indeed, as he strolled the raised oceanfront walkway that overlooks the property, it was obvious the resort had much in common with over-the-top hotels on the Strip.

Mel Dick, who moved to Miami from Brooklyn in the ’60s, visited on his honeymoon. He recalled being drawn to a sign outside the hotel barbershop that beckoned, “Come and have your shoes shined by the former lightweight champion of the world.” It was Sidney Walker, known as Beau Jack, recalled Mr. Dick, a wine company executive. “I sat down in the seat and I gave him five dollars. I told him: ‘I don’t want you to shine my shoes. I just want to look at you.’ ”

Source

I love the Fontainebleau Hotel and I can’t wait for opening day.

My Grandfather had sparred with Beau Jack in NYC when they were both youngsters. I remember my Grandfather (old-school G and head breaker with IRA connects) told me a story of how he saw Beau Jack shining shoes at Fontainebleau Hotel.

After saying hello to his old friend, my Grandfather offered to shine Beau Jack’s shoes. G move to the fullest.

Respect.

The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your favorite International Playboy’s, favorite International Playboy
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

Scarface-Maria Conchita Vamos A Bailar

Is the Art World’s Bull Market Over?

Everyone who is anyone in the art world was in London last week for a series of sales and fairs.

The trouble is, too many collectors left their checkbook behind in the clearest sign yet that the global financial crisis has finally caught up with the art world. Experts warn that things are likely to get tougher.

A far bigger test for a market which had largely defied the gravity of economic gloom comes next month, when Sotheby’s and Christie’s, the two dominant auction houses, hold major sales in New York. The Art Basel Miami Beach show follows in December.

“Now is not a brilliant time to be selling — people are facing such a complicated financial situation they are not prepared to do anything,” said Philip Hoffman, chief executive of the Fine Art Fund Group.

“The market place is much tougher, and in light of what’s happened in the financial markets, the art market cannot be immune to it. Liquidity is tighter everywhere.”

Source

Art world’s test

I think Sotheby’s and Christie’s will undoubtbly be effected by the Down Economy.

But like anything, if the price is right, now is the time to be buying.

The Rest is Up to You…

Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your favorite International Playboy’s, favorite International Playboy
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com

Guest Manifesto: ENTER ACTION WITH BOLDNESS

By DevX

(Click Here for The G Manifesto’s Best Halloween Costumes to Swoop Girls)

(Click Here for DevX’s Guest Manifesto: Bold Men CREATE Opportunities)

Most men are born timid, chances are — you were too. Most societies across the world today have promoted a culture of political correctness, conflict aversion, trend following, and a desire to be liked by all. And this isn’t entirely a bad thing. Going down this path will get you an OK house in the suburbs with a plain wife, 2.5 kids, and a dog named Spot. If this is a lifestyle you desire, stop reading now. For my real and aspiring G’s, please continue…

Bold Men Have Wills of Steel

One of my favorite UFC Fighters when I had time to watch TV was Tito Ortiz. The guy was a beast unleashed and if you had the misfortune of getting in his way when he was on a rampage, you were going to pay. He had a quote, which I try to live by that says: “RESPECT: I don’t earn it; I just fuckin take it!” But even as much as I admired the rawness of this cat, there’s another lesser known UFC Fighter who was a true man of boldness. Lee Murray. Let that name marinate for a bit.

Back in 2002, outside a London nightclub, Tito and Lee exchanged words, which eventually led to blows. Tito let out a left-right combo which both missed Lee. Lee then followed up with a 5 punch combo that knocked Tito the fuck out. COLD.

If that was the end of the story, he’d be an interesting side note in UFC history. But its what Lee did after which really impressed me with the strength of this man’s character (whether you agree with the DIRECTION of his character is another matter altogether).

In 2006, Lee was the alleged (ha! I love this word) mastermind behind the 53 million Pound CASH robbery from a British bank (about $100M US). He then fled to Morocco, which coincidentally(?) has no extradition treaty with England. The British gov’t has been coming after Lee since the robbery, but the Moroccan gov’t has steadily refused to give up Mr. Murray. (Side note: There are two women I have ever met that have given me the “Thunderbolt”, one was Moroccan.)

Lesson: I’m not recommending anyone going out and pull heists. Most people who try this would probably drop the ball and end up behind in the back seat of a squad car. What I DO recommend is that you find where you have an edge and adopt a mentality with an will of steel that was required for Lee to pull off what’s he’s done…while he was STILL in his 20’s. You have to have an unbendable vision of what you want, and anyone that stands in your way has to be dealt with accordingly.

Caution: Boldness without planning, boldness without information is leveraged stupidity. Do NOT do this. This is like doubling down when you have no edge. You will lose. Notice that Lee had a well executed after plan. Unlike many of the smash and grab low level criminals you find in major cities, he didn’t go back to his apartment or his mom’s house. He got out the country and went to a non-extradition country.

To win at chess, you have to see several moves ahead and anticipate your opponent’s move. If you don’t have the wisdom, the time, the STRENGTH OF WILL, and/or the balls to do this, stick to Checkers.

Source: Story adapted from 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

By DevX

ill bill & the beatnuts - yae yo

Guest Manifesto: Bold Men CREATE Opportunities

By DevX

In 1925, 5 highly successful scrap metal dealers in France were invited to an official and highly confidential meeting with the “Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Post and Telegraphs” at the Hotel Crillon, then the most luxurious hotel in Paris. (Imagine this). The men had NO idea why they were invited and were overwhelmed with curiosity. Eventually, the director stepped into the room and addressed the men. He told the men that the French Government had decided to tear down the Eiffel Tower . Maintenance costs were too high, the gov’t was in debt and simply wouldn’t put up the money to upkeep it. At the time (this was in the 1920’s) Parisians thought the tower was a boondoggle, and eyesore, so this plan made sense at the time. The dealers saw this as a golden opportunity and saw they could make a killing selling the scrap metal on the open market.

The director invited all five men to propose bids on the project. Each of the 5 put in high bids hoping they would be the one to edge out the others and get this lucrative contract. After all the bids came in, it turns out Mr. P, one of the 5 dealers had the highest bid. He was invited to come back to the hotel with a certified check for 250,000 francs (about $1M today) to make a 25% downpayment on the total deal. After the deal was wrapped up, Mr. P waited, and waited….and waited to hear back from the director. He never heard back from him again. It turns out there was no such position as a “Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Post and Telegraphs” and that the government had no plans to tear down the Eiffel Tower!!

Lesson: The Director’s, real name, Count Victor Lustig, was a con artist extraordinaire, and he won big because he thought big. He had the BALLS to have a vision so extraordinary, that no one ever thought to question it. He even played the role of a government official to a T, having the creativity to even ask the winner of the bid for a small bribe to establish believability. Great men of history see beyond what others think impossible. Could you sell the Eiffel Tower?

Source: Story adapted from 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

By DevX

Guru Feat. MC Solaar - Le Bien, Le Mal