I didn't work on the sleeves
consistently, but did a round here and there between other tasks, and
after lunch and after dinner.. This morning I was surprised to learn
I had done almost 4 inches! One or two more pattern repeat (2 rounds) and
it will be time to start the garter stitch cuffs—and then another
dozen and half rounds and the cuffs will be done.
I had already woven in most of the ends
on sweater 2 as I was finishing up sweater 1. Of course since then,
I have 2 new ends from starting the sleeves, and 2 more end from
joining new skeins—so there is some more finishing to do—and I
still have buttons to sew on. But it sure looks like I will have
sweater 2 finished by my self imposed deadline. 1 month for 2 mini
sweaters is certainly not workhouse pace—these are very small
projects—even doubled. But I have finished them in time for the girls to get some use out them. They fit now, albeit loosely and will be good till the late fall. There are plenty enough cool days and cooler nights in the summer that they will get some use from them.
There is a big project looming.. not
mine, but a new luxury building 2 blocks away. It has already
obliterated a good portion of my skyline view, and its getting higher
and higher ever day. When I sit at my computer, instead of the 59th
street bridge, and the upper portion of Manhattan skyline, I see
nothing but building—from the bottom to the top of my window. The first image is from May 20th, the lower one, today.
It's less obtrusive from other
angles—but I really hate how its changed my view from my computer
desk. Oh progress--how I hate it sometimes.
I am also somewhat amazed at the idea
of luxury housing so close to the the LIE (I-495) I am 2 blocks from
the LIE, and didn't mind the muted white noise of the traffic (which
I still can hear, though it is more muted)--but 1 block closer? It
has to be louder and dirtier.
And while I like my neighborhood—I
hardly think it is a luxurious one. The new building is 3 long
blocks from the subway. (I am 2 short blocks.) The streets don't
run at 90° angles in this area. The blocks are trapezoids—rather
than squares. I am at the narrow end of the trapezoid, the new
building at the wide end) This makes a big difference in how close I
am vs how close they are to the subway. Plus, the subway stop is a
local. (Premium locations are always at express stops!) A good half
the apartments will have great views(my old one!) but there are other
empty lots in front of these location—and their views are
temporary, too. All in all, it just doesn't seem like a luxury
location...
But what do I know? Housing prices in
NYC are outrageous... getting a good location, at a good prices
requires a good deal of insider knowledge, and a bit of luck. It is
easier in Queens—but no where in NYC is housing cheap. I often
think the term “Luxury” is used to warn people—EXPENSIVE.
When the building opens, I will make a
point of looking to see what luxury amenities are included.
(For sure, they won't have a pool—new
construction never include this anymore.)
