Tuesday, August 14th, 2018 NYTimes Crossword

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Time: 6:22
Average Tuesday: 14:05
Best Tuesday: 6:10

 I'm currently sitting in a bar in Indianapolis Airport having already been delayed one full day on my flight to India and now sitting out having been bumped to an earlier flight and not told about it, racing to the airport only to find that said flight had been delayed back to the original time, and now just having a well-deserved beer. But this isn't a United-bashing blog yet. I just figured that anxious, angry, and uncertain is the correct state for launching a new blogging era.

On the other hand, I'm starting out with a near record Tuesday, despite confidently plopping in BLT at 1-across only to find that I had misplaced that particular three letter sandwich. "Lima's home" set me straight fairly quickly. I was excited to see a clue about the Stooges, only to find that I'd been fooled again and the clue was not about Iggy Pop at all. Rather, I don't think it was. I'll confess that I don't understand the longer "?' answers. "A waist accessory for a Russian cook?" OK, so Russians make borscht and belts go on your waist... I'm missing something, right? Likewise for blasting cap, which is still quite explosive-related, so the humor or pun is lost on me. Feel free to set me straight in the comments (but be nice, please).

I'm very happy to know Ruby Dee's name now. Likewise Ann Peebles, as I'm listening to "I Can't Stand the Rain" and grooving and tearing up a bit too. Incinerate can only ever make me think of Magic: The Gathering. 3 damage, no regeneration. Great card for two mana. In my day, anyway.

It's clearly embarrassing that I'm unfamiliar with Marc Chagall, a Belarusian Jewish early modernist, so clearly someone about whom I should be conversant. But this is among the reasons for this blog: To admit my deficiencies and take the time to learn instead of letting all the Marcs of crosswords simply pass me by. There are other reasons too that I'll address as they come up.

I can't say much else struck me. One day I'll remember REO Speed Wagon or, you know, any motor vehicles of any kind. Now to see if my flight will leave and if I'll ever make it to India. In the meantime, I can people watch, another of my favorite pastimes. 

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