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projects

so many projects...so little time

At any given time, I've got several projects going that keep me moving and on my toes. My projects allow me to coordinate my brain and hands, and dable in the life of a crafstman, electrician, plumber, auto mechanic, web designer and computer repair person--all professions I would fail miserably at if my livlihood depended on it (thank God for my day job).

1910 craftsman house | 1957 chevrolet truck | 1994 ford probe gt

1957 chevrolet truck

We purchased the truck from one of my dad's co-workers in July 1999. The truck had been stored in a garage in Elma, WA. When we found it, the truck was not running, both doors had been removed, it had 4 different size and make of wheels, and the bed wood was rotted and pieces missing. In the bed of the truck were two Crafstman riding lawnmowers which my dad fixed and sold to recoup our $800 purchase cost.

The restoration started with a removing the bed, cab, and body panels to get to the frame. The front quarter of the frame was cut and a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am front clip grafted on. The Trans Am clip was selected for its large power disc brakes, power steering, and beefier sway bar. A 1965 Ford Mustang gas tank was installed between the frame rails beneath the bed. The frame was cleaned and painted.

Once the frame work was complete, the cab and bed were re-installed. Patch panels were installed in areas that had been rusted out--three of the cab corners and on the doors. The firewall was completely filled and shaved. The original front fenders were beyond repair and reproduction fiberglass fenders were installed. The bed posts were filled and shaved. The tailgate received a custom Chevrolet logo.

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1957 chevrolet truck cont'd

The body work and paint was completed by a family friend. We found the grill at a swap meet and had it re-chromed. The bumpers are reproduction chrome bumpers from Chevy Duty. After 50 years of use and abuse, the original front windshield was surprisingly in tact; the rear glass is reproduction. The American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels and Toyo tires were a senior graduation present from my parents. In the cab, we found a bench seat in the Little Nickle and had it reupholstered. In the bed, we chose pine bed wood and chrome furring strips and hardware.

The truck isn't quite done yet, we still need to:

• Complete the wiring
• Install sound deadening mat in the cab
• Add carpet
• Complete fit and finish

My truck will be one of my never-ending projects. In the future and when time, money, and patience permits, I'd like to swap in a more powerful and efficient motor.

A complete list of parts on the details of the truck is available. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the truck.

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photos

Taking pictures is a hobby that started when I puchased my first camera when I was 11 and something I'll grow old trying to get better at.

• My first film camera was a Kodak 35mm point and shoot
• My current film camera is a Lomo LC-A
• My first digital camera was a Canon SD100
• My current digital camera is a Canon Rebel XTi

In between my first and current camera were a slew of cameras including misc. Kodak and Canon 35mm point and shoots, Canon Cannonet (35mm), Canon Rebel EOS (35mm), Canon G1, Canon SD400, etc.

flickr galleries:

picasa galleries:

Latest Vimeo videos:

1910 craftsman home

• 950 sq. ft.
• 2 bed, 1 bath
• 1 car garage
• Unfinished basement and attic

My wife and I purchased this fixer-upper in 2007. We were attracted to this home because of its price and location. The house is down the street from a beautiful park, downtown Bremerton and the ferry terminal, and in an up-and-coming neighborhood. The house has tons of exterior character--bright pink salmon, 14/12 steep-pitched roof, and decorative cedar siding. The interior of the home is nothing to write home about, but when we're done remodeling we hope it will be.

For being a 100 year-old home in Bremerton, this house is in great shape. We are in the process of remodeling, room by room, when time permits or when the baby is sleeping. Here are some of the home improvement projects we have planned:

• Interior painting - in progress - started 09/2007
• Remove noxious weeds - in progress - started 07/2007
• Replace light fixtures - in progress - started 10/2007
• Finish nursery - completed 08/2008
• New roof - completed 10/2008
• Replace wooden gutters for aluminum - completed 09/2009
• Paint exterior
• Kitchen remodel
• Bathroom remodel
• Add stair to attic
• Finish attic: add master suite and bath, den

1994 Ford Probe GT Turbo

The 2nd generation (1993-1997) Ford Probe is one of my favorite cars of all time. I remember reading articles about the car in magazines before it was released and even then I was drawn to its futuristic styling, high-revving Mazda V6 motor, and best-in-class handling (at its time). When the opportunity to purchase my own Ford Probe GT materialized, I jumped at the opportunity. In the summer of 2003, I found the car in Tacoma, WA via a craigslist ad. When I purchased the car, it had 125,000 miles on it and was in need of some TLC--the motor needed a tune-up, the body had several dents and the paint was peeling, the exhaust system had rotted out, etc. Shortly after purchasing it, I had fixed most of the mechanical issues and then the modding bug hit me.

Within months I had retrofitted and installed a Honda Prelude cold air intake, a custom 2.5" Magnaflow performance exhaust system, a modified Honda Civic short-throw shifter, a Tokico sport suspension, and a set of 18" 5zigen light-weight wheels. In 2005, we installed our own custom made turbocharger kit featuring a Garrett T3 Super 60 running 7psi of boost.

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After all of the modifications, the car still remains fun, cheap, and reliable. With the exception of routine maintenance, the car has been hassle-free. The car is my daily driver and an absolute blast to drive.

• Mazda KLZE V6
• Clutchmaster Stage 3 Kevlar Clutch
• Solid Polyeurothane Motor Mounts
• Precision SC50 Turbo
• Deltagate Wastegate (7psi spring)
• GReddy Type S Blow-off Valve (7psi spring)
• Paxton FMU (12:1)
• Walbro Fuel Pump (255lph)
• Spearco Front Mount Intercooler
• 3" Turbo-back Mandarel Bent Exhaust
• Borla Race Series Muffler

• Suspension: Tokico HP (Blue) Struts and Springs
• Front: Honda S2000 13" Disc Brakes (custom made big brake kit)
• Rear: 10" Discs (custom made big brake kit)
• Pads: Hawk Performance
• Wheels: (4) 18" x 7.5" 5zigen Heidfeld Aluminum Wheels
• Tires: (4) 225/40/18 Kuhmo SPT

• Corksport Front Lip
• FX Side Skirts
• Body and Paint by Gig Harbor Auto Body, Gig Harbor, WA

The Probe is another one of my never-ending projects. That is, until I get hit by a bus. Future plans include an engine management system to control fuel and spark delivery and tuning.

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lomography

All photos taken with a Lomo LC-A.

For more information on Lomo cameras and Lomography, check out Lomography.

about the website

I'm Jessie and this is my website. I live in a 100-year old home in Bremerton, WA. I work for the YMCA. I love my wife & son, family, friends, automobiles, music, food, photography, movies, t.v., home improvement, building computers, reading, surfing the internet, video games, making websites, lists, and my two cats (in that order).

defy perception was created in 2001 originally as an Incubus fan site. From 2001-2005, defy perception received hundreds of unique daily visits as it was one of the few Incubus fan sites featuring updated band news, tour dates, album information, and photos and video. If you're interested, you can visit defy perception on the Wayback Machine.

Like all of my projects, this website is a work in progress. In the last couple of years defy has become a playground for my various web experiments. You're viewing the latest experiment. It was hand-crafted with jQuery.LocalScroll, Shadowbox.js, html, css, photoshop, and lots of patience.

Hosting is by Hole in the Wall where you can get $10/annual hosting packages.

jessie's bucket list

I have personal and professional goals that I'm constantly striving for, but after I start making money and before I kick the bucket, I'd like to accomplish the following in no particular order:
(updated 01/01/2010)

• Marry the most beautiful woman on the planet
• Visit the Phillippines
• Drive a Porsche 911 GT3
• Drive a Ford GT90
• Drive a Bugatti Veyron
• Own the car I lusted for in high school
• Have 3 another children
• Complete the Seattle-to-Portland (STP) bicycle race
• Drive my truck to Cars and Coffee in CA
• Enter my truck into a car show
• Own my own home
• Own a bigger home
• Have a vacation/2nd home somewhere warm year-round
• Take a motorcyle road trip
• Go to a taping of Top Gear
• Start my own business
• Complete a half-marathon
• Own a 2011 Ford Mustang GT
• Retire before I'm 5060
• Visit Japan (again)
• Travel to space

links

Here are my sources of inspiration and websites to get lost in:

music:
incubus
dredg
thrice
ben kenney
the helio sequence
portugal, the man
puggy
red hot chili peppers
radiohead

photography:
nick onken
michael rastall
john batte
miami fever
republica unica

people:
kottke
dooce
chris glass
jon sibal
bruce turkel
jim gaffigan

automotive:
autoblog
speedhunters
the car lounge

digital photography

All pictures taken with a Canon Rebel XTI unless otherwise noted.

family

architecture

automobiles

misc

social networks

You can follow me on the following networks: (in order of use/frequency)

facebook
twitter
delicious
youtube
last.fm
flickr
vimeo
picasa
linkedin
myspace

I also have a lifestream which aggregrates my activity on the above networks into one page.

lifestream

contact

e-mail: jessie [dot] palmer [at] gmail [dot] com

mobile: three six zero eight three zero six zero seven zero

You can also message me through Facebook and Twitter.