While the Tiger waits in the wings for the Ox to take its final bow, the audience is already captivated by glimpses of black and golden stripes through the gaps between the curtains and the frame.

Whatever performance the Tiger has up its sleeve, I suspect it will be a delectable show, with some slight tension here and a dose of amusement there. Perhaps a dash of mayhem along the way, a spoonful of surprises, a drop of tragedy, and a good measure of drama all pieced together for a year worthy of our beer and champagne come December.

So while the Tiger saunters out, what can we expect after the celebration of the first days of spring?

CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets recently said in a report that Tiger years are typically marked by dramatic changes and upheavals. It said 2010 would be an energetic and powerful, but impulsive and risky year. Sounds like a good mix for an eventful year if the last two years are anything to go by without the words “risky” and “energetic” used to describe them.

As it is, we have already seen some corporate scuffles in the early part of the year. If we are lucky there will be more in the offing to spice up the year. And if the stars so choose to shine down upon us, we will get some political spice thrown in as well.

Anyhow, back to the CLSA report. Apparently, the Golden Tiger has chosen to bless those that have worked hard for their fortunes with a greater year. Those born in the year of the Dragon, Sheep and Horse will fare well this year. CLSA said the Golden Tiger year will favour the likes of China’s wealthiest woman Nine Paper’s Zhang Yin, who is a Rooster in the Chinese zodiac, and Warrren Buffett who was born in the year of the Horse.

Looks like a lot of us might be missing out on all the fun this year because we are at the bottom of the earnings chain.

Never mind. I guess we’ll just have to find our fortunes in the markets then. The report goes on to say that our markets could see some life some time in October, and the run-up this time is expected to last till January next year. Well then, hopefully this time we will be able to catch up with our regional peers since we have been so laggard. If all goes well, we’d see a bull run, no doubt.

But if all else fails, then maybe, just maybe (with fingers crossed), bonuses this year will excite us in ways that do not include the financial industry. We never know. That could keep our hearts palpitating for a good year.

Well, whichever direction the cat chooses to jump this year, we’ll just have to buckle up and keep a level head lest we all fall down from over-excitement. English author Margaret Benson couldn’t have put it better: “The cat is above all things, a dramatist.”