GOODBYE FOREVER... I'M NOW OFFICIALLY RETIRING THIS TIRED BLOG AND MOVING TO A NEW ONE ... visit me at my new location....
http://hamptonschatter.blogspot.com/

WHAT RECESSION???? THEY'RE SELLING BEACH PASSES LIKE THEY'RE GIVING THEM AWAY!!!

As you may or may not be aware, summer '09 will be here soon! SOON?! I know it's only February but already the Village of East Hampton is experiencing a run on beach permits. So for those of you who don't live in the village itself but love the beaches at Wiborg or Two Mile Hollow, you better hurry. This year the cost is $300 for non-resident permits and remember the number is limited. According to a friend of mine, 500 permits have already been sold in the first week of availability!



Just so you know before you go, make sure you bring a VALID vehicle registration -( not title or insurance ID) a copy of your drivers license and proof of residency... I guess that means a bill or some sort of tax statement.



In contrast... Southampton who also charges $300 for a village permit doesn't have a limited number. So for those of you who are procrastinators... the bottom line is... you're better off going to a Southampton Village beach.



Finally, why am I showing bathing suit pictures of Britney Spears and Matthew McConaghey (sp?)!?!?!? Why not!!! We are after all talking about beaches... No not Bette Midler "Beaches".. but bathing suits etc. If you need more information... here are two links for your use.

East Hampton:
http://www.easthamptonvillage.org/pdf/march_2006/Permit_By_Mail_Information_Sheet.pdf

Southampton:

http://www.town.southampton.ny.us/DeptDirectorygallery/Parks/beachinfo/Beach-Facilities-Map-2008-Park-Info.pdf

EAST HAMPTON - WINTER PICTURES 1/16/09 8:30 AM - SO I GUESS I'M NOT REALLY GOOD AT WRITING A BLOG SO I'M GOING TO TURN THIS INTO A PHOTO-BLOG... AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!?

Bond is Bourne Again!!!

I am one of the biggest James Bond fans around. I loved Sean Connery! I grew up with Roger Moore... I even kept my lunch down as he made love to Tanya Roberts and Grace Jones... although it was more like watching my grandfather ... oh well never mind.... too sick to bring up. I loved Timothy Dalton, the "The Living Daylights" was a slick and entertaining bond even with A-ha warbling that ridiculous theme song which you can tell was penned by someone who barely understand English (I swore the song is more about a car's headlights than Bond.. headlights...daylights 'what do you mean they're not same?)! Anyway, loved Pierce too!

So when I had a chance to see the new Bond "Quantum of Solace" in France last week, two weeks before it came out in the U.S. I jumped at it! So how was it! Well first of all, before you go see the movie watch "Casino Royal" again. The movie starts at the end of the last movie and there is little exposition in reestablishing the characters and major plot points of the last film.

Now about the movie itself and the latest bond, Daniel Craig. The movie is fast, frenetic and fun. The style is similar to the Matt Damon "Bourne" series with fast cutting, quick camera movement and lots of "now what just happened moments." While there were points I feel story and plot were sacrificed for action, I didn't care. The action sequences are by far some of the best in any Bond movie I've seen. I was totally entertained!

Craig once again is brooding and dark Bond. But he's probably the most realistic Bond and according to fans of the novels, the closest to Ian Fleming's 007. I also have to say, after seeing Craig once again take off his shirt a few times in the film, I'm putting down my PopTart and running to the gym. He's over 40 and doesn't have an ounce of fat on him! A lean mean spying machine. I feel sorry for all my peers who let their wives see this one with them only to have their popcorn pulled from their paws. So.... in all "Quantum of Solace" is not your fathers Bond but it's well worth the price of a ticket, fun and riveting from beginning to end.

OH if I could turn back time.. I'd do something about the market where overpriced things actually sold!

Do you believe... She wants $45 million for her Malibu mansion??!

O.K., not much going on with me that I really feel people would actually read so I thought I'd make today a fun blogging day. GOSSIP! So according to the Wall Street Journal last Friday, Cher has quietly listed her Malibu mansion for $45... even though according to one source it didn't sell last year at $25 million. It's a pocket listing according to one LA blogger... what that means is the agent isn't advertising... smart move.. hmmm?. It sounds like she played with too much plutonium when she was filming "Silkwood". But hey, there are suckers out there... just remember... Hollywood bosses are still paying Madonna to act!

Speaking of which... the super glamorous crowd (see photo left) of Madonna... Gwyneth... and artist Steven Klein are all hanging in the Hamptons this weekend. Aren't we lucky!!!!?! They're coming to town to lend a helping hand with a great cause... The Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue. Tickets are about $500 to $2500. Anyway, here are my suggestions for the silent auction.... this will raise TONS! Bids will start at $10,000 for Madonna to agree not to make "Swept Away 2, Who's that Girl Again or Evita Strikes Back." $4000 and Gwyneth will actually do an interview with Kathy Griffin and explain how her role in "Shallow Hal" changed her life. Finally artist Steven Klein will explain why his art is worth so much money.... bids will start at $5. If you wanna roll in the hay... with these celebs... visit the rescue's website. http://www.forrascal.com/

Finally... a little gossip about the Jonas brothers. WHO ARE THEY?! Tony Roma (I think he's a golfer or something) is apparently still dating Jessica Simpson and... oh forget it... who cares!

Now I know how Brangelina feels!!
Welcome to the Hamptons... I've always loved the summers here for two reasons; 1-I can actually enjoy my backyard and pool 2-I get to see people from the city and out of town who I don't know!!! I grew up in a suburb where my next door neighbor was my best friend Michael Lieberman and the neighbors on the other side... I had NO CLUE WHO THEY WERE. Steven Garber lived across the street and around the corner the Gambinos who we didn't know at all (although we didn't talk to them for an entirely different set of reasons and it involves hanging with sea creatures!). After that I moved to Washington D.C. for college and after that Manhattan. I'm a little like Garbo, I want to be left alone.

Anyway, I have a friend who recently broke up with their other half and of course... strangers from far and wide have been giving her comfort. The UPS guy, the town secretary and even the entire 3rd grade class from Sag Harbor Elementary have weighed in. Now how did this happen? This is summer! Doesn't anyone have something better to talk about ... like... Christie Brinkley and Peter Cooke... or Madonna's marital woes and hanging in Amagansett with Apple and Gwynnie?!?

It's weird this year. I recently went to the opening day of Polo and my friend who had my ticket/bracelet went MIA. I was hanging by the gate with a glass of champagne that a more respectable friend quickly threw in my hand so I didn't look so pathetic. I can just hear the onlookers, "How pathetic trying to crash but at least he has a glass of something!" Even though I pulled my baseball cap far over my face... I WAS SPOTTED. A friend soon text messaged me saying, "I heard you can't get into polo.... dinner later?" Oh the shame! I haven't been this embarrassed since I was spotted buying sweaters at TJ Maxx! Although I feel better since I spotted Kelsey Grammer and his wife there (I guess those Frasier re-runs don't pay as well as you think).

Anyway, in conclusion... If you want a private life... don't live in the Hamptons and don't become a celebrity. And especially don't become a celebrity and move to the Hamptons... otherwise you'll have some jerk writing on their blog about your marriage or where you shop!

And another thing... 50 year old woman should not wear pig tails. IT'S JUST WRONG FOR SO MANY REASONS!

The Dark Knight lives up to the Hype.

Let's just start off by saying... Heath Ledger deserves at the very least an Academy Award nomination. Somehow when celebrities pass away, especially in such tragic circumstances the media and public have a tendency to deify that particular person and the final performance. Well, if Heath Ledger had lived this surely would have been a career altering performance. So rarely do you see a movie where an actors performance can literally captivate and control every scene. Heath Ledger does just that in The Dark Knight. My only complaint about the whole movie is the length. It would have been a perfect movie if it was about 30 minutes shorter.

So, anyway why am I writing about this? Well because last week on July 17th my office hosted a private screening of the movie for our clients and friends. The reaction of everyone in the theatre was awesome. They loved the movie and they loved the excitement of being a part of something special. I had a blast too and I guess what I'm trying to say is.... the agents and I enjoyed hosting our clients, customers and a few friends. In short... together we're saying "thanks for making the other night possible." Hopefully we also redeemed ourselves from making everyone sit through The Golden Compass last December.

Anyway, sometimes a little late is better than never. THANK YOU!