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24.06.02: Chez Ray-Monde, boulevard Richard-Lenoir A last day of urban exploration following a last round of excessive book-buying. How I decided on this corner of the 17e I don't know, but the Square des Batignolles was well worth it, and coffee at this quiet spot worked well. What didn't work well was getting home for a 2:30 appointment with the EDF agent. Already last week I'd had the front wheel of my bike stolen; now it was time for the rear wheel to self-destruct, as five or six spokes snapped in the course of about 10 minutes, before I'd even made it to the 10e. As the clock ticked, walking the bike became less and less of an option, and when the wheel would roll no more I locked it up outside the Gare de l'Est and jumped on the métro. Got home with at least a few minutes to spare by my watch, only to find the inside digicode on the fritz. Made it upstairs a minute or two later, only to find a note left by the EDF guy saying that my power would now be shut off (you can't be late, but they can be early?). Called up EDF in a panic, only for them to tell me that their network is down and nothing can be done for now. Ran over to the agence itself, same deal. If ever someone wanted to make sure I wasn't going to regret feel having to leave -- mais qu'est-ce qu'ils me font chier! Serenity returned later in the day when I managed to make a new appointment and got Thierry to cover for me. With my electricity no longer in jeapordy, I packed packed up for a last load of laundry, and waited it out with a coffee down the road, drenched in some very strong late-day sun.
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