Now I can say with absolute authority to dads-to-be that it only takes five years for you to get scraps of your social life back. This photo marks the 3rd time I had a night outing with my mate.

And I need to count my blessings. This mate was willing to drive to my house and chauffeur me to the izakaya at Home Team NS Khatib at the ungodly hour of 10.30pm.

Oh why didn’t I ditch my family earlier, I hear you ask? Well, two minutes before 10.30pm, my daughter literally puked into my hand. She had cried too hard from refusing my attempt to brush her teeth. To say that parenting is chaos is an understatement.

Anyway, moving on to more pleasant matters. I need to state for the record that I’m bitterly disappointed by the izakaya. With a name “Fuji Izakaya Bar KTV Pub”, it should evoke a quintessentially Japanese atmosphere, right? But nope, it comprises a mish-mash of food choices, including mala (the spicy dish from China that has snuggled its way into the hearts of Singaporean consumers). As if this wasn’t enough of a lethal deal-breaker, its last order is 10.30pm.

Just what kind of freaking izakaya is this?!

However, I was determined to enjoy myself since it was a rare night out. Ordered the 1.3 litre jug of Sapporo beer and sat back to chat and listen to Chinese songs from a bygone era. (Note to self: must locate that upbeat retro song that contains the lyrics “China girl” and sing it at KTV.)

The topics were as serious as security guards guarding national exam papers, including career makeovers and family cohesion. However, since I was feeling elated, I digested such talk as smoothly as I downed my beer. Haven’t you heard? THIS WAS MY 3RD TIME OUT THIS YEAR!

Appealing to other good mates who are willing and able to meet me for supper from 10.30pm onwards. Help me break my personal best!