The Virtual Muser

How many ears does it take to renew a Canadian Passport?

Those of you who have read my two previous posts: The Canadian Passport Blues Canadian Passport Blues Revisited will know of my Love Affair with the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv. But, as with many relationships which seem so simple at first, things have become complex over the years. And the chief culprit in complicating this […]

Why give Expats the vote?

There is nothing funny about Canadian politicians. They are a bland lot making their way (plodding their way, I should say) toward election showdown. Or is it me? I can’t see the humour. The joke is on the inside, leaving the expat outside, knocking on the door. Which may be more reason why I, and other […]

Curiouser and curiouser

I think I have become somewhat of a curiosity to my children. Perhaps this is a part of losing relevance as we grow old. Or perhaps it is also linked to circumstance. A close childhood friend of mine – same age as me – started having children much later in life. His oldest child is […]

Can beautiful people really feel the Blues?

I first saw the movie, Bagdad Café, long before coming to live in the desert, but even then its haunting sound teased me with dark promises as to where a desert road might lead. When I first listened to the Blues, I felt very much the same way. I wasn’t there yet, but it touched me in […]

When I find myself fading

“When I find myself fading, I close my eyes and realize my friends are my energy.” ~ anonymousI have many things to complain about, but I also have many more to be thankful for. I have been blessed with true friends. Friends who help carry me forward during the toughest of times, just by knowing that […]

Rob Ford – Making Canada proud?

You’ve got to give the guy credit. Not since the marital and post-marital antics of Margaret Trudeau has a Canadian managed to star in leading news broadcasts, late night show monologues, and of course – have someone play a caricature of him on Saturday Night Live. But no caricature of him can do the man […]

Does sunshine on your shoulder really make you happy?

It is the middle of November and I am still in short-sleeves and sandal mode.28 degrees Celsius. Isn’t that a little ridiculous for this time of year? Not that I am complaining… well, maybe just a little. You see, there comes a point when sunshine may be just a tad too much. “Too much?! My dear, […]

Comfort and Fashion – Never the twain shall meet

Those of you that know me, know that I don’t struggle much with fashion. At least not now, when I am pretty well worn out.”Adva would claim that my poor dress habits even go beyond fashion.“You’re not wearing that!” she exclaims. “It is full of holes!”“There are only two… three,” I respond. “And I am […]

Facebook status: Grandparent

My daughter in-law, Sharon (with significant help from my son, Noam) gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and I am now a grandfather. Adva and I are still getting used to this new status. Grandparents… wow! Soon after being told the news,, a picture of the baby – taken with an iPhone – appeared […]

Someone pass me the remote

I grew up before the days of cable or satellite TV, in Scarborough – a small suburb of Toronto. Like everyone else, we picked up broadcasts by means of a roof top antenna, with a very limited choice of stations. There was no remote control at the time – just a knob that we turned […]

Back to top