The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Living in the melee of a sprawling Metropolis you expect certain odd things like piss in the doorways, the place to smell of sick and the occasional weirdo to approach you and attempt to make friends or break your face.



What I do not expect is to be randomly befriended by a bus-stop.



First we had the musical ones for the XFM promotion that would play bastardised versions of the latest indie bed-wetting anthems. Next we had them all decked up like goalposts for the World Cup with green stickers on the floor with grass printed on them, and now they have a voice.



Whilst on my way to Tesco's this evening to purchase a 1lb bag of Granulated Sugar and some Mild Welsh Cheddar I was told the time without any provocation whatsoever by what sounded ominously like a lift.



Apparently it was 21.14 & it was the bus-stop doing the announcing.



Whilst I am quite intrigued by technology and all its benefits for mankind, I am inclined to feel that giving a bus-stop a voice is a step too far. Why would I want to know the time when buses never keep to their schedule anyway? Is it necessary to have the bus-stop speak? I mean there is already an LED clock on there anyway? But most importantly how much is this costing JC Decaux and who is paying the bill?



The last time I caught a bus from Heaton Chapel/Manchester or vice versa it was £1-85 and that was approximately 2 months ago. On Thursday the driver insisted that the fare was £2-30 citing a price rise, which is possibly a mistake, although apparently the machines never lie.



At least If I forget my watch, my phone and go blind all in the same day I'll still know what the time is.



*I feel so re-assured that money is well spent now*