Alumni Basketball Game 2013 | University of Washington

Isaiah Thomas, center right, is mobbed by teammates at the beginning of the University of Washington Alumni Game Sunday, June 23, 2013, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. The after-2009 team, in purple, beat the pre-2009 team, in white, 107-104. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Isaiah Thomas watches a basket by a teammate during the University of Washington Alumni Game Sunday, June 23, 2013, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington in Seattle. The after-2009 team, in purple, beat the pre-2009 team, in white, 107-104. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Justin Holiday competes in the slam dunk contest following the University of Washington Alumni Game Sunday, June 23, 2013, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. The after-2009 team, in purple, beat the pre-2009 team, in white, 107-104. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Will Conroy reacts upon entering the arena at the beginning of the University of Washington Alumni Game Sunday, June 23, 2013, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. The after-2009 team, in purple, beat the pre-2009 team, in white, 107-104. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Darnell Gant, left, hams up a reaction following his victory in the slam dunk contest following the University of Washington Alumni Game Sunday, June 23, 2013, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. The after-2009 team, in purple, beat the pre-2009 team, in white, 107-104. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Mike Jensen, bottom, lifts his son, Jacob Jensen, 3, top, to reach the basket during a timeout at the University of Washington Alumni Game Sunday, June 23, 2013, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington in Seattle. The after-2009 team, in purple, beat the pre-2009 team, in white, 107-104. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Will Conroy, center left, is mobbed by teammates at the beginning of the University of Washington Alumni Game Sunday, June 23, 2013, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. The after-2009 team, in purple, beat the pre-2009 team, in white, 107-104. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

The Color Run 5k | Seattle, Washington

Thousands of eager participants took to the grounds outside of the Experience Music Project to dance, throw powder and take pictures at the Color Run 5k Sunday, May 12, 2013, in Seattle. The sold out event - also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet - is a unique paint race celebrating healthiness, happiness and individuality. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Capitol Hill summer fashion | Seattle, WA

Canopy Climbers | Earth Day 2013

Dave Bayard, right, helps Lorenzo Delara, center right, into gear for his ascent at a tree-climbing event put on by the Seattle-local, eco-adventuring Canopy Climbers in honor of Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Attendees took turns ascending a 110-foot red oak named "Her Majesty." (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

From every branch, enthusiasts enjoy a tree-climbing event put on by the Seattle-local, eco-adventuring Canopy Climbers in honor of Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Attendees took turns ascending a 110-foot red oak named "Her Majesty." (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Loose ends of rope hang from upper branches during a tree-climbing event put on by the Seattle-local, eco-adventuring Canopy Climbers in honor of Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Attendees took turns ascending a 110-foot red oak named "Her Majesty." (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Seattle University freshman Olivia Kerwin laughs with a friend at a tree-climbing event put on by the Seattle-local, eco-adventuring Canopy Climbers in honor of Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Attendees took turns ascending a 110-foot red oak named "Her Majesty." (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

From every branch, enthusiasts enjoy a tree-climbing event put on by the Seattle-local, eco-adventuring Canopy Climbers in honor of Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Attendees took turns ascending a 110-foot red oak named "Her Majesty." (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Dave Bayard, center, helps unstrap Ellyn Rivers, right, following her ascent and descent at a tree-climbing event put on by the Seattle-local, eco-adventuring Canopy Climbers in honor of Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Attendees took turns ascending a 110-foot red oak named "Her Majesty." (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Sakura-Con 2013 | Anime mania in Seattle

An attendee in a sniper's ghillie suit bides his time from a tree outside of the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Colorful dots of creative costumes stand out from an overhead view during the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

A caped and rebellious group of attendees force a mock abduction on a young woman during the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Alex Wilkens, 20, dressed as "Doctor Horrible," practices his instrument in the sunlight outside of the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Jake Vincent, 20, dressed as "Havix," shows off his abstract contacts during the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Groups of colorfully dressed attendees enjoy lunch outside during the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Thousands of attendees enjoy the third day of the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Thousands of attendees enjoy the third day of the 16th annual Sakura-Con Sunday, March 31, 2013, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Presented by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association, Sakura-Con featured three days of anime theaters, gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests and industry guests. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com)

Halloween Weekend Debauchery | Seattle, Wash.

Spent one evening of Halloween weekend out on Seattle's Capitol Hill, consorting with drag queens, sharing beers with a horse-headed party animal and trying not to get accosted by passing ghouls. I failed on the last part. Regardless - it was a classic Pacific Northwest frightfest. Felt great to break in the new camera body in such an unforgiving situation while sharing a holiday with close friends. Oh, and thanks to Carey Rose for his photographic abilities in capturing the rogue drinking horse... Enjoy!

Dead Baby Downhill 2012

At a last minute's notice, I was informed of the annual Dead Baby Downhill in Georgetown, Washington. I expected another quirky Pacific Northwest event, but instead, I walked into a scene of all-night mayhem. Bike jousting, flaming tetherball and a guy with explosives strapped to his head - it's all gravy, baby. An additional rad surprise: the towering, silver-headed, Lucha-Libre-mask-wearing, Weird Sports creator (that's Sol Neelman, for all you suckas) was there, doing what he does best. A solid evening. Enjoy!