Toronto is in full swing with TIFF happening in the city, and it seems that TIFF means different things to different people. For many it’s about seeing as many films as humanly possible in a week, for others it’s stargazing as many celebrities flock to Toronto for the festival and for some it’s about getting into as many parties happening in the city in conjunction with a bunch of the films.

Last Friday I worked a party for Haagen Dazs at the Princess of Wales Theatre, where lucky facebook page winners had a taste of being a TIFF VIP. Click here to view some of the pictures from the party.

What parties have you been to? Which celebrities have you seen? What films have you loved and hated?

A couple of weeks ago I made a brief trip to Ottawa on my way to Montreal. I was there for a photo shoot which I completed earlier in the afternoon, but before deciding to leave our capital city, I decided to swing by Parliament Hill to check out the scene. It was a grey day and there was definitely a sombre feel in the air, as thousands line up to pay the respects to the late Jack Layton. Although I didn’t wait in line, I took a moment in silence and shot this photo of the Hill to pay my tribute.

Toronto is a city of summer street festivals. I think pretty much every week, there is a strip in the city that closes it’s streets for a bit of a community party. Big on Bloor is the local one for me and is probably the underdog of all of these festivals. This weekend they celebrated their fourth year, and for the third year in a row, they experienced rain. Perhaps we should start calling this the rain festival. Joking aside, the strip of Bloor between Dufferin and Lansdowne was closed off to traffic, and lotf of businesses, artists, musicians and food vendors were out to share their talents.

Had first row seats at a Toronto Jays game this week. We were sitting just past first base. That’s where I caught this shot of Ace, the Jay’s mascot.

Walking around Calgary, I found myself in front of the Calgary Board of Education where I found these statues, Family of Man, by Mario Armengol. The statue was originally made for the British Pavilion for Expo 67 in Montreal. The statues were then purchased by Maxwell Cummings and Sons, who then donated them to the CBE.

Check out this cute little house in Calgary, inspired by The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai. I’d totally live in this house. Can we build one here in Toronto?

A herd of Buffalo found on 6th Ave SW and 5th St in Calgary. There was so much public art in Calgary and I did a horrible job and tracking and noting what each piece was.

It seems that Calgary has been going through a ton of growth over the last few years, especially with a number of condo buildings being built in the city. Waling down 1st St. SW this scene caught my eye. I loved the juxtaposition of the old Mescalero building, with the shiny new condo in the background.

One of the things that I loved about Calgary, was the amount of Public Art that was in the city. Basically, everywhere you looked there was some sort of art installation. On of my favourites was John McEwan’s “Weaving Fence and Horn” in front of the Trans Canada Tower. The city even has an iPhone App to help you navigate through it all (I kinda wish I knew about this app while I was in Calgary)

While I was in Calgary, they had daily Square Dancing on Stephens Avenue Walk as a part of the Calgary Stampede. It happened daily from 10am to noon and they encourage onlookers to join in. After watching one dance take place, Robyn, roped me into dancing and it was a lot of fun.

On Saturday, I spent the day at Rafter Six Ranch in Kananaskis Valley as a part of #NokiaUnfenced. The views were scenic, we spent a couple of hours climbing in trees and even did some horseback riding. It was an awesome day. More pictures to come.

Happy Monday Morning! I hope you all had a great weekend, I spent mine on a Ranch in the Rockies.

Today’s photoblog entry was also shot at the Wychwood Barns. A little message of love tied to a tree. If only love were as easy as tying a little label to a tree. It’s unconditional, which is the hardest hurdle.

Sometimes you just got to stop and smell the flowers. A wonderful bunch of Bee Balm that I found in the 4th Barn at Wychwood on Wednesday night. Right about now, I’m waking up with a gorgeous view of the Rockie Mountains in Canmore, Alberta. Heading off to Calgary for a few days, later today. Excited.

The Wychwood Barns has many aspects, which include, community space, artists, a green house and a whole slew of other amenities (Dog park, Water Park, Volleyball court)

Every Saturday, from 8am to Noon there is a Farmer’s Market. Have you been to the Barns? What do you like to do there?

Outside of Barn 4 at Wychwood, there is this mini water park, but I couldn’t figure out how to turn it on. It obviously works, cause the pavement was all wet. Does anyone have any ideas?

I’m flying out to Alberta today. Spending the weekend in Canmore and early next week in Calgary. Hope you all stay cool here in Toronto while I’m gone.

Just as I was walking by this home yesterday evening, this rough collie was settling in on the porch and just sat there and posed for me. She probably sensed that I was a photographer, such a smart dog.

It’s such a gorgeous day out now, that I thought another shot from Sugar Beach might be appropriate. Have you been yet? It’s quite nice, they have these great muskoka chairs that you can use, or you can throw a towel down and lay on the beach.

Was down by Sugar Beach yesterday and so were a bunch of other folks, it always surprises me how busy that place can be even on a Monday evening. I suppose it’s just a short walk from St. Lawrence Market, but once you get there it just feels like it’s far was from any residential areas. In any case, I captured this shot of the cargo ship, Whistler which was docked at Redpath next door.

It’s gonna be another hot one out there today. May I suggest a popsicle from an ice cream truck to cool you down.

Kensington Market on a wonderful Thursday summer evening.