HERE WE GO AGAIN: Another year, another year. Many of you have made lists of resolutions that are supposed to make you a better person with a better life in the coming year. Many of you have already broken those resolutions dashing all hopes dreams and desires of a better you. After having spent Christmas in Virginia among the “good” people, people who don’t have to resolve to quit things or change their lives since they’ve never attempted such things, I resolve that I don’t need resolutions (however I give you yet another list below). I don’t want to be a better person. Okay, I don’t want to be a bad person but I don’t want to be a person that has to worry about being good, especially if it’s going to interfere with having a good time. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from my years on this earth is that you reap what you sow and you had better enjoy each day to the fullest as tomorrow may never come. Those of us fortunate enough to live on South Beach should be out enjoying the incredible nightlife scene and toasting at every bar and club. This season has brought a new crop of venues; not only clubs and bars but also restaurants so enjoy them while they’re here.

RESOLUTIONS I CAN KEEP: Last week I was forced to write resolutions to fill space as I was given an early deadline which happened to be on the day I was leaving town for Christmas. Since I’m the king of procrastinators I always seem to leave things to the last minute, like deadlines and packing, so I tried completing both at the same time. I arrived in Virginia, where the temperature dropped to 31 degrees, without a sweater and happened to read the resolutions that I wrote for last week’s column (after they were printed). If I hadn’t found a copy of the text on my computer I would have sworn that I wasn’t responsible for those resolutions. Here’s another set of resolutions that are more Cubby-like.

1.Drink more. The more you drink the better everything seems.

2.Never pack for a flight twenty minutes before you’re leaving.

3.Drink more. Eat less.

4.Remember where you live. This is helpful information important for taxi drivers.

5.Tip well. Bartenders, waiters, cab drivers always remember a good tipper.

6.Add color to my wardrobe. Usually my life is pretty colorful without the aid of color in my wardrobe but an occasional splash of color (not to mention my tried and true red and green striped Gerry Kelly jacket) doesn’t hurt.

7.Don’t get drunk. Good party boys never get drunk.

8.Drink more. (See above.) 

9.RSVP to all invitations and make an appearance if you’ve promised one. Don’t be one of those people who say they’ll show up and never do.

10. Look fabulous (or at least make an attempt with what you have to work with). If you’re out, then look good as South Beach photographers are always prowling. As a photographer myself I never take photos of people when they look bad but there are photographers who relish the chance.

11.Support the scene by going everywhere. You don’t have to stay long. Have a cocktail and then off to the next hotspot.

12.Drink more. Encourage others to buy you cocktails so you’re supporting the economy.

13.Spread cheer.  There are so many ways. 

14.Remember deadlines.

15.Smile in the face of adversity unless they happen to be trying to get into Prive without a wristband.

16.Be thankful that I live in South Beach where the weather is nearly perfect all year and I hardly ever have to worry about having a sweater since the temperature never falls to 31 degrees.

17.Drink more with friends.

18.Stop making fun of my editor (at least to his face).

19. Seize the day. (Okay, I’ll never seize the day. It’s the night that I attack. Sometimes I use the day as a running start.)

20.Keep laughing. When my sense of humor goes I know I’m either totally depressed or packing at the last minute (at 6 a.m.) for a flight too early for my nocturnal schedule.

OUT AND ABOUT: Children of the night beware. I’ve been on a religious retreat in Virginia for nine days without access to nightclubs or bars. Since I’ll be back in South Beach for New Year’s Eve I’ll be able to activate my list of resolutions. Next week I’ll share with you my attack on the beach. Where will I be on New Year’s Eve? Read all about it next week. Remember to send all nightlife info, party events and invitations to Cubbysobe@hotmail.com. Until next week, see you out.

BEACH BUZZ: Since most of the flights to Miami were sold out for days after Christmas (hence my late return to South Beach) I expect to find the clubs packed and pumping. The weather has been cold up north (I can vouch for that.) so South Beach is the party destination. What’s new on the beach? There’s Maze (the former Salvation space), Jade (the former Frankie & Johnny’s), Lounge 16, and Menage (the former Liquid/Shadow Lounge space). What’s hot? There’s always Crobar, Nikki Beach, Opium Garden, Rumi, Mynt, Honey, and Automatic Slims.  Every night is a party night and you can be the host. Take your friends out on a journey and make wherever you go sizzle.

WEEKLY PICKS:

Monday Night: Back Door Bamby at Crobar. One of the most successful and long running parties on the beach. Hot music and a beautiful crowd.

Tuesday Night: Automatic Slims. A locals’ favorite as this night is wall to wall hard-core party people.

Wednesday Night: Enjoy a martini or a cosmo at the Rose Bar at the Delano during the weekly Wednesday night party that always attracts a beautiful crowd often peppered with celebrities and sports stars (like Ricky Williams of the Miami Dolphins).

Thursday Night: Check out the scene at Mynt. Mingle with celebrities and models and the crowd starts at the door. Once inside you’ll have a great time unless you’re claustrophobic.

Friday Night: The Magic Garden returns. This weekly party now can be found at the National Hotel. For late night fun try Michael Capponi and Ingrid Casares’ party at Prive.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: http://www.drinkboy.com/. If you’re stuck at home you can still enjoy a tasty cocktail (provided you have the ingredients). Click on this site for tips, recipes and stories. Pretend you’re sitting at your favorite bar without the fear of losing your seat. You may become such a pro at mixing up cocktails you may have to enforce your own last call to get your friends to leave.