My wife came home from work this past Monday very excited because she saw the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) ad in our local Metro advertising the $5 admission after 5 PM. Sweet!

The CNE, EX, Canadian National Exhibition — whatever you call it — was a favourable childhood summer experience; moreover, it’s been over ten years since I last attended.

Due to a conflict in my schedule, we went on Tuesday evening. We arrived around 7:30 PM and it was like stepping back in time. As in the past, the first stop was the food building.

Over the next two hours, the volume of visitors slowly declined and the vendors jumped into overdrive to entice visitors to play a game, gamble or experience a ride.

I observed this worker, wearing Giorgio Armani eyeglasses, working hard to draw in customers for the game booth he was managing.

On our recent Washington (DC) trip my wife and I decided to catch a Washington Nationals baseball game on the evening of August 25. We agreed to purchase the tickets early in the day from the Nationals ticket office as this would also provide us with the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with their subway system.

Nationals Park – the Washington Nationals baseball stadium – is a great baseball venue. It was designed as a baseball stadium and it’s just steps from the Navy Yard subway station. As we made our way from Navy Yard towards the ticket office, I notice a culinary-attired man wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses ahead of us.

On a hunch, I walked up to him and inquired if he was the executive chef. “Yes, I am”, was the reply. We introduced ourselves and were privileged to meet Terrance Louzon, Chief Executive Chef for the Washington Nationals baseball club.

This past week I had the opportunity to finally visit the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia and of the many things to see, watching the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns was number one on my list.

The changing of the guard ceremony is a lot of things: impressive, magical, emotional.

When witnessing the ceremony for the first time your eyes will just dance all over the place. I found it hard to stay fixed on one thing. You’ll begin to notice how well shined the boots are. The Third U.S. Infantry Sentinels are wearing Oakley sunglasses. The distinctive click of the boots. The 21 steps alongside the tomb. The rifle inspection … it goes on and on.

The dead are well taken care of at Arlington. The cemetery is well kept, peaceful and completed with a full compliment of hard and soft wood trees.

Seen Vision Care has two Toronto locations–Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Yorkville. The Yorkville store, pictured above at 2 AM in the morning, is located at the corner of Yorkville Avenue and Avenue Road. Prada eyewear is the current promotion.

Across from the Royal Alexandra Theatre, on King Street West in downtown Toronto where “Rock of Ages – A New Musical” is currently playing, is this striking outdoor advertising structure featuring Chanel sunglasses. At 2 AM in the morning the creative really stands out against the darkness.

CTV’s “The Big Bang Theory” is a really smart situation comedy. The show centers around the relationship between four college science students–Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, Raj (played by, respectively, Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Simon Helbert, Kunal Nayyar)–and Leonard’s girlfriend Penny played by Kaley Cuoco.

I’ve only watched three episodes to date and let just say it is growing on me. Leonard is the only one who wear eyeglasses in the show. My only beef with this show is Sheldon’s annoying southern-based voice; this is probably a testament to Jim Parson owing the character.

Geeks like myself appreciate the show’s smart writing. The subtle references to the computer operating system (i.e. Linux, Ubuntu), Star Wars, comics and the science-based content are very cool.

The Senator restaurant in downtown Toronto is a short walking distance from the Toronto Eaton Centre and Yonge-Dundas Square and one of my favourite Sunday breakfast spots.

This restaurant is located at 249 Victoria Street and as the photo depicts is adjacent to a parking lot; therefore, you don’t need to fret over street parking.

One of the challenges I find with event photography is deciding which lens to use. Back in July I decided to head down to MuchMusic to photograph the 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards red carpet event.

When I arrived at 299 Queen Street West and located the red carpet area I walked into a squeeze fest amongst the hundreds of tween, teenage and adult fans already present.

My shooting location was horrible but that’s what you get for being late. I felt that it was best to use the 17-85mm lens which turned out to be a fairly good decision but there were moments that I wished I had used my telephoto lens because during my Lightroom session it became next to impossible read some of the eyewear brands on display.

The highlight of red carpet event was Katy Perry who arrived in the ice cream truck pictured above to promote her upcoming CD “Teenage Dream” and, by fluke, I was positioned near the alley where the truck had to exit.

Here she mad a last minute dash for another ice cream cones as the truck commenced its exit and my adrenaline rush began.

“Katy! Katy! Over here”, I yelled. Holy crap she turned around and right index finger kissed the shutter button. Thanks Katy!

Now, if I only new what sunglasses brand the Toronto police officer was wearing I will be truly happy. The look on the Asian officer’s face is priceless.

Indy race car driver Dan Wheldon looking sharp in his Oakley sunglasses.

The Budweiser Girls at the Honda Indy Toronto.