Wednesday October 17th 2018, NY Times Crossword

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Time: 11:17
Wednesday Average: 17:36
Best Wednesday: 7:24

Today was just an easy Wednesday jaunt while sitting in a bus making my way through Dubai. Actually, I started this puzzle while riding in a TESLAfor the first time in my life, because apparently that’s what Uber drivers use in Dubai. Then I got worried that I’d spill my coffee and decided to wait for the bus. I’d already spilled some coffee on myself to start the morning, but C’EST LA VIE (c’est la GUERRE!). 

I’m really not so sure about this theme. So, we have three clues all yielding PANCAKEthroughout the grid: “Kind of makeup,” “Flatten,” and “Breakfast food item.” At the top, there’s a PATof butter, which I’ve learned is generally 1 tablespoon (not a TSP) of butter but more functions as a quaint word for some butter that goes on your pancake. AUNTJEMIMAsits on the left and then HUNGRYJACK, which I suppose is a syrup brand that I’m not familiar with, is on the right. The result, of course, is to make me RUEnot ordering pancakes this morning. 

As I consider my schedule over the last week, all I can say is that I’m IN TROUBLE. That overnight flight to Jaipur sure seemed like a good idea at the time. Meanwhile, I hope you’ll continue to follow James this YEARas he presumably STAYSSANE and EKESout a living while traveling the SEVENSEAS. SEEYA!

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