The New Year is around the corner, and in keeping with tradition, I find it’s time to reflect upon the year gone by and compose my resolutions for the year to come. At least that’s what the voices tell me to do.

So where should I begin? First, I ask myself how the past year turned out.

Let’s see… skiing, cute boy, camping, New York City, cute boy, birthday, jury duty, wedding, San Francisco, cute boy. Insert “drinks” and “work” every now and then. Reflect, reflect, reflect.

OK, enough reflection; now onto my resolutions. Although I usually dislike making resolutions, I think it’s a noble effort to work toward such goals. It took a while, but here is my list of resolutions for 2007, tied in with some social events for good measure:

Play with your friends, play with your family or play with the cutie you met last weekend at Lestat’s Coffee House (3343 Adams Ave.). (The jig is up Wade, just remember to play.) If you don’t know where to begin, a good start would be to check out some of the New Year’s Eve events in and around Hillcrest.

Bacchus House will celebrate with a $2,007 balloon drop of cash and prizes, as well as a morning party from 1:00 to 10:00 a.m. with DJ De Leon and a sunrise breakfast.

Baja Betty’s will host a champagne toast at midnight.

Bourbon Street will hold their annual New Year’s Eve fest, complete with DJs and a balloon drop.

The Brass Rail will bring in the New Year with the sounds of DJ Ciel.

Club Montage will present Deborah Cox live with DJ Scotty K. and DJ Demon from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. An advanced ticket purchase of $50 per person guarantees a VIP pre-party buffet from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. and a free 2007 VIP card.

Flicks will offer party favors and complimentary champagne at midnight. There is no cover.

Martinis Above Fourth will serve a special Masquerade Dinner to welcome the New Year. Dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. for $50 per person, or 9:00 p.m. for $65 per person (the later dinner includes a champagne toast, party favors and door prizes). Reservations are required.

Rich’s promises two DJs, two dance floors and hundreds of hot guys.

Urban Mo’s will host Detour with DJ Taj, as well as a champagne toast at midnight and a balloon drop of cash and prizes. The cover is $5. On New Year’s Day, Mo’s will serve their champagne/bloody Mary brunch from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for $17.95 per person, followed by Recovery Monday with DJ Taj from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Noches Caliente afterward.

Don’t forget to check with each venue for final times, cover charges/ticket prices and entertainment (I will not be held responsible for any New Year’s Eve mishaps).

If the bars in the gayborhood just don’t cut it, consider celebrating the New Year or a new beginning of spirituality through humor, meditation or nature.

The National Comedy Theatre (3717 India St.) presents their annual New Year’s Eve Spectacular, with improv comedy teams battling it out on stage, similar to the comedic stylings of Drew Carey’s “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” The show begins at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $69 per person (ticket price includes catered food and an after-show party with the cast). Tickets must be purchased in advance via www.nationalcomedytheatre.com.

If the comedy shtick doesn’t tickle your fancy and you want something more low-key, consider visiting a place of worship like the Buddhist Temple of San Diego (2929 Market St.) for something different. Their year-end service will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by the ringing of the Friendship Bell at the south end of Shelter Island Drive at 11:30 p.m. The annual bell ringing attracts San Diegans of all ages and ceremoniously “rings out the old.”

There are so many places to drink, dance or reflect on New Year’s Eve, but what if you want to skip all the hoopla and celebrate on New Year’s Day? One perfect option would be to take a cruise in the bay aboard Hornblower Cruises’ New Year’s Day Brunch (1066 N. Harbor Dr.). Boarding is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. and the cruise will serve a large buffet along with champagne, as well as offer fantastic views. Tickets are $44.95 per person, and you can make reservations at www.hornblower.com.

After this holiday season, spending more time with family may be the last thing on your mind (as well as mine).

[Insert flashback sequence music]

Mom: “Marvin, you’re getting fat.”

Me: “Mom! How can you say that!?! I am so not fat!”

Mom: “Stop eating so much rice. Eat more meat.”

Friend: “Well, if he’s fat, I must be a whale.”

Mom: “You’re not fat; you’re just big-boned.”

But I digress.

However, if you can stomach the constant jabs from Mom and Dad, want to pamper a good friend or can spare to gain a few pounds, check out San Diego Restaurant Week from Jan. 7-12. During this week, restaurants all around San Diego and beyond will feature special three-course dinners for only $30 or $40 per person. I’m looking forward to dining at a different place each night, including my favorites Chive (558 Fourth Ave.), where my bud Michael is a server, and Kensington Grill (4055 Adams Ave.). Check out www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com for a complete list of participating restaurants and menu items. Don’t forget to contact each restaurant directly for reservations and request the “Restaurant Week” menu.

On Jan. 19, you can take a leisurely stroll with family and friends through Little Italy during Kettner Nights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Displaying the latest art and design exhibitions from members of the Art and Design District of Little Italy, the annual Kettner Nights adds another vibrant layer to San Diego’s art and culture scene. Check out www.taddsd.com for a street map and a list of members. And while you’re in the area you can stop by The Waterfront (2044 Kettner Blvd.), where I meet up with my friends Jarvis and Drea for some good convo and one of the best burgers I’ve ever had in San Diego (not to mention a drink to wash it down with).

Local realtor Jim Sikes was notified by the California State Lottery that his ticket was picked out of 100,000 to play the Fantasy Five game. The show even provided posh accommodations at the Hilton. He recently appeared on “The Big Spin Show,” and he did win big. Congratulations, Jim! To contact Jim and his wife, Patty, about your real-estate needs, please call (619) 957-7355.

This month, I leave you with a quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”

Now, which man Ben is referring to is entirely up to you. Happy New Year!