Admittedly, the title to this post is slightly deceptive. Tom Cruise is shown on these photographs while riding a chopper on the evening of July 2, which was actually the eve of his 51st birthday. Yes, I have memorized Tom’s birthday and realize how creepy that sounds, but I only remember the special day because Tom filmed Born on the 4th of July while also publicly noting that his birthday is the 3rd of July. Oh, nevermind. You people already realize how obsessed I am with the lift master, so let’s not try to hide it.

Anyway, does it seem weird at all (beyond the usual involved with the Cruise) that Tom now hangs out at the Chateau Marmont? That’s where the paparazzi stars like Robert “Sparkles” Pattinson come out to play. Does Tom want to get papped? Because the Chateau is where famous people go to be photographed. I wouldn’t doubt that Tom wants to be papped like a starlet, since he’s a hip, single (not to mention thrice-divorced) guy in his own mind. I bet he misses riding with David Miscavige on their motorcycles. While we ponder these important questions, Us Weekly has published a story about how “relaxed” and “extroverted” Tom is now that he’s free of his marriage to Katie Holmes:

Here’s hoping Tom Cruise’s 51st birthday on Wednesday, July 3 is happier than his 50th: This time last year, the superstar was shooting Oblivion in Iceland, and privately reeling from wife Katie Holmes’ surprise divorce filing after less than six years of marriage. (The parents to Suri, now 7, famously settled their split within the same month.)

The Jack Reacher star was photographed zooming out of Chateau Marmont on Tuesday evening on a motorcycle; his birthday plans as yet are unknown. “Tom has definitely made some changes to his life over the past year since the divorce,” a Cruise source tells Us Weekly. “He’s actually a lot more relaxed and more extroverted,” the insider continues, noting that the often reclusive star has been spotted over the past year supporting son Connor at various DJ gigs and attending high-profile basketball games in L.A..

“Now that he’s single he wants to get out there a bit,” adds a second pal. Still, like his ex-wife Holmes, 34, Cruise has yet to step out with a new love. “He’s dated a few girls, but very casually.”

One very important lady in his life, of course, is Suri. “Tom still sees her and speaks to her on the phone,” the first source says of Cruise’s youngest, who lives with her mom in NYC. (The actor also spends quality time with Isabella, his 21-year-old daughter with ex Nicole Kidman.)

As Cruise enters his second half-century, expect a mellower version of the famously turbo-charged actor. Says the second insider: “Since the divorce, he’s spent some time reflecting and actually letting go.”

[From Us Weekly]

Tom has always seemed manic, but I can’t even imagine how he comes off when seeming more extroverted than usual. Does that mean he’s actively trying to pick up chicks? Who knows. Also, Kaiser has already covered the photos of Tom, Johnny Depp, and Jerry Bruckheimer last week together, but I just had to comment on how “puffy” Tom’s face looks. He’s definitely had fillers recently.

Just for reference’s sake, here’s Tom looking less “inflated” on May 5 of this year.

Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News and WENN