Being James Bond

TRAVEL -- As the New York Times put it, "Once you walk past the liveried doorman and set foot in Scott's, the venerable seafood restaurant where even clarified butter is raised to an art, the world ceases to exist." Scott's truly takes fine seafood dining to the next level.

TRAVEL -- In my humble opinion, no existing James Bond location is as authentic, untouched, and accurate to how it's portrayed in the film. If you've seen James Bond walking through the Ocean Club in Casino Royale, then you can walk in the front door, and know exactly where you are.

TRAVEL -- When it comes to skiing, Switzerland is unmatched, and when it comes to Bond locations, there is one that is second to none; The grandfather of all Bond ski chases started at the magnificent Piz Gloria, and endured down the side of Mount Schilthorn, in Murren, Switzerland.

TRAVEL -- Hundreds of James Bond Fans, Secret Agents and Bond Girls have already renewed their License to Thrill for the 11th Annual James Bond Thunderball Gala taking place on New Years Eve 2013 in Washington D.C.

CINEMATIC 007 - For many years, the M's real name was a closely guarded secret, but this wasn't always the case. In the beginning, M's identity was fairly well known, particularly by James Bond, going all the way back to the writings of Ian Fleming.

INNER 007 -- No doubt, James Bond is a connoisseur of great food. From cracked stone crabs with melted butter and pink champagne in Miami, to grilled ray with butter sauce in the Caribbean, Bond is a lover of its endless variety. Few notice that Bond's diet is very close to what we would call The Paleo Diet.

CINEMATIC 007 -- Head of Section offers up his personal top five Bond songs. These are only opinions, and are definitely going to reflect my personal bias. As most of these are the songs I grew up with, they tend to choose songs from my own era. Please don't hold it against me Shirley Bassey fans.

THE GOOD LIFE -- Tracking a gangster in the Big Easy, Bond enters a bar called Fillet of Soul with his CIA counterpart, Felix Leiter, and asks for "bourbon, no ice." Leiter changes the order, requesting two Sazeracs. "Where's your sense of adventure?" he asks Bond. "This is New Orleans. Relax!"

THE GOOD LIFE -- Few things can bring the James Bond lifestyle into your home like having a respectable home bar, and being able to create and serve cocktails to suit the setting and mood. In order to transform your amateur setup into a professional level home bar, you'll need a few good bar tools.

THE GOOD LIFE -- When James Bond travels to The Bahamas, he drops in on the ocean front estate of the sinister Emilio Largo, who offers Bond an afternoon of skeet shooting, a grand tour of his shark­filled salt­water pool, and a refreshing Rum Collins, the essential balance of sour and sweet, and regarded by many as the perfect cocktail.

INNER 007 -- If you're feeling bored and lazy there's only one thing to do – kick yourself out of it! James Bond lives like a playboy, yet still performs like a warrior. But while Bond may be able to stay in shape on champagne and caviar, but the rest of us are going to have to work at it.

INNER 007 -- To really stay motivated, you need to find what drives you personally. What will be your motivation? The first is obvious; Being James Bond. That's why we're all here, right? To truly live like James Bond and do all the things Bond does, we'll have to be in good physical shape.

It's that wonderful time of year when you ultimately say to yourself, "I wish my family and friends knew what I REALLY wanted this year!" Whether you're in the mood to be a fan, or to be the MAN, these gifts will be welcome in any Bond fan's stocking. Happy Holidays!

CINEMATIC 007 -- "One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." At long last, Scott rejoins Head of Section with a long awaited episode of Being James Bond, the review of Skyfall!

THE GOOD LIFE -- "I believe that the bourbon and branch water is rather splendid here." While relaxing on the front porch of his home on Auric Stud, his Kentucky horse ranch, Auric Goldfinger offers James Bond a Mint Julep, commenting that the drink is "traditional, but satisfying."

MAN OF ACTION -- Ian's Fleming's gentleman secret agent did not know how to fly an airplane, but the cinematic incarnation of James Bond is definitely a pilot. Though, it took many years before Bond's piloting skills became apparent.

TRAVEL -- What's the future of podcasting? We pose this question after dinner, martinis, and some serious poker playing in 'America's Playground,' Las Vegas!

THE GOOD LIFE -- Welcome to 'The Cocktails of James Bond' a six-part series on the specific cocktails that James Bond enjoyed. I focused on six signature cocktails that seemed to personify Bond, and also gave an understanding about the world of mixology in general. So here is the first, and possibly the most obvious, The Vodka Martini.

INTERVIEW -- Time to get motivated! Paul Kyriazi shares some of his insights about the film 'Limitless,' which actually has a lot in common with living the James Bond lifestyle!

TRAVEL -- This week, we revisit the most romantic city in the world, Paris, France. We return to a few Bond staples like Fouquets and Harry's Bar, and explore some new Bond locations like Le Dome Restaurant, and the Chateau of Chantilly.

LITERARY 007 -- This week we explore and review the newest James Bond novel, 'Carte Blanche' by Jeffrey Deaver.

TRAVEL -- We're ending the first season of the 'Underground' on a high note. This is an original Travel podcast about one of the greatest cities in the world, New York City.

GAMING 007 -- This week, we finally review 'Blood Stone' - the latest 007 video game, and (spoilers) a lackluster follow up to 'Quantum of Solace.'

TRAVEL -- This week, Geoff Oberg offers up some tips for the traveler in his article on 'Packing like Bond'.

INNER 007 -- 'Now pay attention 007...' By popular demand, we've finally dedicated a section of the forums to gadgets, gizmos, and electronics, so you can discuss those personal items you use to give you an edge in the field.