Wednesday February 13th 2019, NY Times Crossword

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Time: 10:49
Wednesday Average: 17:11
Best Wednesday: 7:09

If there was anyone who didn't know who AARON BURR ("give us a verse, drop some knowledge") was already from the legendary "Got Milk?" commercial (or I suppose from US History class), I can't imagine that in a post-Hamilton world that that nine-letter clue wasn't automatic for anyone doing today's crossword.

I'm trying to figure out if this PLANETARY ALIGNMENT themed puzzle really works, but I'm not grounded enough in astronomy to really figure it out. But there are planets (and the sun) lined up (kinda) in the puzzle as follows: GESUNDHEIT, NO OVEN USE (that looks like more German with those three words mashed together), HEARTHS, MARSUPIUM, and TAKES A TURN. I like that alien CONTACT is throw in there as well, just to add to the general space theme.

I'm surprised I don't see Spiegelman's MAUS appearing in crosswords more often. I'll save my rant about why I hate the term "graphic novel" for another time, if only because I believe that Maus is explicitly referred to thus in the publication.

I don't think I know the word TITTLE for "a small amount of something," but it's enough to make one giggle.

I remain AT LARGE in Pakistan (which means Land of the Pure, I learned yesterday) but am flying from Karachi to Lahore tonight. I'm not sick of lamb barbecue yet, so bring on more of that good good food. 

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