Friday October 5th 2018, NY Times Crossword

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Time: 15:01
Average Friday: 28:48
Best Friday: 10:21

I felt smooth completing this Friday in a solid time in the lobby of the Pearl Continental in Lahore right up until I spilled coffee on myself through a completely non-functioning lid. But it's not really a recruiting trip until I spill coffee on myself.

The Friday themeless is probably my favorite day for the NY Times, since they're just difficult enough for me to feel like I've accomplished something and usually feature some fun answers and clues. "One who's got game... but shouldn't" is a delightful clue for POACHER, probably better than "Military leader known for being chicken?" for GENERAL TSO. I can only hear PERIWINKLE in the voice of Brad Pitt with the accent he was sporting in Guy Ritchie's film "Snatch," which is to say nearly incomprehensible.

I've never said "AND WE'RE OFF" when starting a crossword puzzle, but sure, why not?

I didn't know Roger TANEY, fifth chief justice of the Supreme Court, but it sounds like he's most famous for his pro-slavery ruling in the Dred Scott Case, so I suppose it's good to know which historical figures to hate. 

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