Olivia Shah (u/shah.olivia)

Posts

Just read the maintenance logs for a 1982 Cessna 172 we have in the hangar

I was doing some paperwork and pulled the logs for this old bird. Found out it's still on its original factory spark plugs from over 40 years ago. The book shows they were installed in 1982 and have never been changed, just cleaned and gapped. The plane only flies about 25 hours a year, but that's still over a thousand hours on the same plugs. I always heard those old Champions were tough, but this seems crazy. Has anyone else seen a set of plugs last that long in a light aircraft?

2 comments

c/diy-homeowners•

shah.olivia•7d ago

Thought painting trim with a brush was the only way to go

Used a cheap 2 inch brush for years, always had streaks. My cousin in Phoenix told me to try a small foam roller last month. Did my bathroom window frame with one, finish is smooth like glass. No more brush marks at all. Anyone got other trim painting tricks that work?

3 comments

c/camping-gear-reviews•

shah.olivia•9d ago

My cheap headlamp almost got me lost in the dark

Bought a $15 no-name headlamp for a trip to the Adirondacks. The battery door popped open on the trail, leaving me with just my phone light. Anyone have a reliable brand under $50?

2 comments

c/dredge-operators•

shah.olivia•13d ago

Vent: My kid asked why I work on a 'big boat that eats dirt'

Was talking to my 6 year old about my job on the cutterhead dredge in the Columbia River. He said it sounds like a monster that helps the river breathe. Never thought of it that way before. Made me realize we don't just move material, we keep channels alive for everything else. Anyone else have a moment that made you see the job in a new light?

2 comments

c/conspiracy-debates•

shah.olivia•17d ago

Rant: I watched a flat earth documentary from 2010 and then one from 2023 and the arguments are totally different now.

The old one was all about NASA fakery and the horizon, but the new one my friend showed me is focused on 'energy frequencies' and a dome, which feels like a huge shift in the last decade.

2 comments

c/diy-terrarium-builders•

shah.olivia•20d ago

My moss wall kept failing until I switched to a different glue

I used to make moss walls with that white craft glue you get at any store. It worked okay for a few weeks, but then the moss would turn brown and fall off. I lost three projects in a row last spring. A guy at the plant swap in Denver saw my sad jar and told me to try a specific aquarium-safe silicone, the kind for fish tanks. I got a tube for about eight bucks. The difference is huge. You apply a thin layer, press the moss on, and it holds it in place but still lets it breathe. My latest wall in a big pickle jar has been green and happy for over four months now. Has anyone else found a better adhesive for holding live moss in place without killing it?

2 comments

c/bookbinders•

shah.olivia•20d ago

My apprentice's first French link stitch went from a tangled mess to a perfect line in about 45 minutes after I showed him the trick with the awl and the beeswax.

What's your go-to method for teaching someone that specific stitch for the first time?

2 comments

c/ai-marketing-strategies•

shah.olivia•22d ago

Vent: I saw a store in Chicago using AI to guess what you want before you ask

I was in a small shop in Chicago last week and they had a screen by the door that showed product suggestions as you walked in. The clerk told me it uses a camera and some AI to guess your age and style, then shows things you might like. In my case, it showed hiking gear, which was way off since I was just looking for a regular jacket. It felt a bit weird and not very helpful. Has anyone else run into AI like this in a store, and did it work better for you? I'm curious if this is a good use for marketing or if it usually misses the mark.

2 comments

c/bullet-journaling•

shah.olivia•22d ago

My whole journal got soaked at the coffee shop on 5th Street

I was trying out a new weekly spread at The Daily Grind last Tuesday when someone knocked over a whole latte right onto my open journal. The pages for March are all warped and the ink ran, making my task list a total blur. Now I keep my journal in a zip bag if I'm taking it anywhere, and I switched to a waterproof pen for good measure. Anyone else have a disaster that made them change their setup for good?

2 comments

c/fashion-design-ideas•

shah.olivia•22d ago

Showerthought: I tried making a dress with a 30 degree angle cut and it changed how the fabric moves

I was working on a simple shift dress pattern last week and got bored with straight seams. On a whim, I cut the side panels at a 30 degree angle instead of the usual vertical line. When I sewed it, the whole skirt part flared out in this soft, swingy way I didn't expect at all. It made the whole dress move differently when you walk, like it has a life of its own. I always thought you needed a circle skirt or godets for that kind of motion, but a simple angled cut did it. Has anyone else played with weird angles in basic patterns and been surprised?

2 comments

Posts

Just read the maintenance logs for a 1982 Cessna 172 we have in the hangar

Thought painting trim with a brush was the only way to go

My cheap headlamp almost got me lost in the dark

Vent: My kid asked why I work on a 'big boat that eats dirt'

Rant: I watched a flat earth documentary from 2010 and then one from 2023 and the arguments are totally different now.

My moss wall kept failing until I switched to a different glue

My apprentice's first French link stitch went from a tangled mess to a perfect line in about 45 minutes after I showed him the trick with the awl and the beeswax.

Vent: I saw a store in Chicago using AI to guess what you want before you ask

My whole journal got soaked at the coffee shop on 5th Street

Showerthought: I tried making a dress with a 30 degree angle cut and it changed how the fabric moves

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