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Yes, FUN. This was very almost a textbook Friday, if by “textbook” we imply “my best.” It’s potential that it was a bit of too straightforward—the one factor that gave me any actual pause was trivia, primarily that ALDO man. Could’ve endured (and may’ve appreciated) a bit extra resistance, however I’ll simply depend myself fortunate that I bought to expertise the zoom and the zoom and the cascade of lengthy brilliant solutions and the all-over section-to-section circulate that makes Fridays … effectively, FUN. And this puzzle began with AT SEA, which is, as an instance, not auspicious. “Crosswordese at 1-Across! OH GOD!” But then whoosh went “I CAN’T LOOK” and whoosh went AMATEUR NIGHT and off I went. Actually, if I’m being trustworthy, I did not nail each these solutions at first blush. I had “I CAN’T…” and all I might consider was “… WATCH? I CAN’T WATCH! That’s what I’d say! … what’s one other phrase for ‘watch?” Sigh. Then I bought AMATEUR straightforward however thought … the second half would have some extra particular that means, some poetry that means, like SLAM or one thing. So perhaps the puzzle wasn’t *too* straightforward in any case. There was some wrestle. Just not a lot, and definitely not quite a bit after I bought my tooth into that creamy center. Mmm, CINNAMON TOAST (although, once more, I had some ??? about what the second a part of the reply can be: ROLLS? BUNS? Gah). BURNER ACCOUNT was the one reply that basically did fly throughout the grid (29A: Means of constructing untraceable social media posts). Brain wished BURNER PHONE for a break up second, but it surely would not match so bam, BURNER ACCOUNT. Best reply of the day, imho, though it is perhaps extra correct to say it was the primary half of one of the best one-two combo: I went BURNER ACCOUNT / DISCO ANTHEMS. Hard to not love. I hate the time period LIFE HACKS (the way in which I hate the time period “adulting”), but it surely’s not dangerous as crossword fill (44A: Using frozen grapes as ice cubes and binder clips as cable organizers, e.g.). So I principally mowed a diagonal by way of the grid, NW to SE. I then pieced collectively the SW and, after a small wrestling match with ALDO, put the NE to mattress as effectively. Good instances. Fast instances, however good instances.

Remarkable moments alongside the way in which … Well, I truly remembered LINNAEUS’s title, which was a excessive level for me, a (traditionally) scientifically-challenged particular person. I’m not a lot stunned that Courtney Cox did not win an EMMY as I’m stunned that every one the others did. I at all times considered “Friends” as a present that did enormous numbers, audience-wise, however did not get a lot respect so far as awards have been involved. 2022 me thinks Joey was one of the best Friend; 1995 me is like “that man!? No method.” That present ran a very long time and, yeah, principally Joey received. Improbable, however true. Speaking of buddies (belongings you may shout at them), I appreciated the clue on “GUYS!” quite a bit. Very artistic but in addition correct. I did not even see TOFF till simply now (should’ve bought it completely from crosses) (48A: Aristocratic sort, in British slang). Never noticed DUCT TAPE’s clue as a result of I had the center letters and I might simply inform what it was (harmful no-look transfer, but it surely labored out at this time). As for 51A: Subject of a houseguest’s question, this can let you know what sort of “houseguest” I’m: