My introduction to James Bond came in a box maybe 6" long. Licensed from the theatrical release of Goldfinger, Corgi Toys produced a scale model of the Aston Martin DB5 "with modifications."

Okay, so the cars and gadgets are my entrée.

The next major milestone for James Bond and me was in 1977. That was the year when my age and theater admission requirements sufficiently meshed for me to see The Spy Who Loved Me as a first run feature. The Dayton Mall, in Centerville, Ohio, with my best friend, Walt.

Deeply concerned then that our parents would find out that we'd talked our way in to such a risqué film, if you can believe that in this day and age.

So Roger Moore defined the role for me. Some say the first Bond you see becomes your mindset. I'm fine with that. Mr. Moore served me well.

No regrets.

Licence to Kill began my next tradition: From that installment forward, I've made it a point to see each new 007 movie on opening day. As a matter of fact, I see each one twice. The first round, just hanging on for the ride; the second, sufficiently settled to savor the subtle details and nuance.

Current preferred venue is the Star Theatre in Southfield, Michigan. Unparalleled presentation. Nice eating in between.

Tomorrow Never Dies was still in theatres the year my son was born. As he matured, he started to refer to Sean Connery and Roger Moore as "the old James Bond guys," but rest assured that corrections are being made; notwithstanding, that makes Pierce Brosnan the definition of James Bond for Number One Son.

More broadly, "James Bond" has become a brand. What is means depends upon the person. For some the celluloid must always be governed by the printed words in Ian Fleming's novels. Others could care less about the character; it's just a name to be used as shorthand and cliché punctuation in their writing.

For example, a newspaper columnist may write, "The U.S. Senate wrapped up its investigation of alleged James Bond-type activities by senior White House aids."

Or: "She knew she was dating a man with the morals of James Bond, but that was no deterrent for her."

I figure it's a big tent and I'm mostly okay with all interests. I don't think "the original Fleming" is terribly relevant to the films, but if you want to argue that, I'll still respect you in the morning. On the other hand, I am rather interested in what the magazines and blogs have to say about any new direction of this film or that.

Looking beneath the surface, organizing that information, and making it personal with my own opinions is a passion of mine. And Secret Agent 007, James Bond, is the mission here.

Better that I should write these words here than try to credibly say them, as Mr. Brosnan confessed in Movieline (November 1995).

"'My name's Bond, James Bond'? I've actually said those words, yes, in front of the mirror, and in the car. If someone catches you doing it, it can be very embarrassing."

Nope, I don't go that far. But I have to admit to letting my thoughts drift, on occasion, to the "modifications" I'd like to have Q-Branch fit into my personal Omega Seamaster.

Maybe that's another way of confessing that I still like the gadgets. They're just more acceptable in a timepiece than a scale model.