Monday September 3rd 2018, NY Times Crossword

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Time: 5:05
Average Monday: 8:51
Best Monday: 4:51

I'm a little proud of getting close to my best Monday time while solving in a car winding down the road from Mussoorie to Dehradun in a STORM. I also enjoyed the simple Monday theme, which I suppose could be described as the progression from sitting to running, with SITTING DUCK, STANDING ORDER, WALKING PAPERS, and RUNNING JOKE. Nothing much else linking the answers and the clues are simple and straightforward, but it works well enough.

I'm familiar with Laurel and Hardy, but never knew them as Stan and OLLIE. Perhaps that's because my knowledge of them is only cursory.

Just this moment, a waitress in the Marriott lounge recognized me from last year and got me some food from the kitchen even though I missed the happy hour free food. Such a strange life I lead. I will INHALE this food now before continuing to write. (GROAN).

I bet crossword constructors are happy to have "Crazy Rich          " to clue ASIANS now.

It's late and my computer is dying and there's at least one more free Gin & Tonic to be found. Good morning, East Coast!

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