It’s been ten days since the minor upgrade, and I have been kept busy with surprises one after another.

On my first day back at work, I received an unexpected delivery from my friends. The bottle of red wine was accompanied by a regal looking eagle with protracted wings. Ah yes, my career would perhaps soar to new heights if I stop behaving like a lazy ass. I turned down several engagements and a magazine shoot in the last quarter just because I didn’t feel like working. Oh well.

And then there were several lunch and dinner appointments. “I’m rather busy this week. Is the redemption still valid next month?” Hahaha. My next belated birthday lunch is on 3 Oct, and there are a few more yet to be scheduled. I am a very lucky uncle man.

The folks at Singapore Flyer had us over on Sunday evening for the F1 Singapore Grand Prix. It was my first time to the event so I was totally kiasu and suagu. I had planned to park at the National Stadium before taking a train, until I found out from a couple of friends that there were plenty of lots at Suntec and Millenia. The unexpected joy from attending such a crowded event is perhaps zipping in and out of the venue with zero congestion. Apart from a sumptuous dinner on the rooftop- complete with champagne and several huge television sets-, we had access to unlimited flights on the Flyer. The experience of watching the race from all possible angles- up close and high up- was amazing. Thank you.

September has been a great month. Birthday luck came early as I made a spontaneous visit to the casino at Marina Bay Sands two weeks before Chapter 3.2. It had been quite a while, I thought. I sat myself down at the electronic Sic Bo booth and picked some numbers. And then I randomly placed a $5 bet on a 4-4-4 combination. And I won! I read later that the probability was 0.46%. Without a second thought, I cashed out my winnings and gleefully brandished the $1000 note in front of my friend before making a hasty exit. “No, I’m not going to maximize my stay in here because of the 24-hour levy. I won and I’m leaving right now before this $1000 becomes $10!” Hahaha.

Later, something made us believe that birthday luck was perhaps transferable. A friend has just received an overseas assignment. He’s going to be based in the United States. That, I heard, is a highly coveted job within his organization, and he managed to beat stiff competition from around the globe. Astonishingly well done!

Even before he has packed his luggage and settled the visa, I’ve checked air ticket prices. I must make my first trip to America within the next one or two years, and either bunk in at his swanky expat residence, or make use of his corporate discounts to stay in a posh hotel. And I must save a screen capture of my message to him earlier this month- something which went along the lines of “Pass you all my birthday luck!” Heh.