[garinda]

I had to wait for someone for half an hour today, and since it was dry managed to get a non-wet seat on Broadway.

In the thirty minutes I was there not one person bought a Big Issue magazine, from the woman that sells them on the corner. Thinking about it, I've never seen her sell any, despite her constant cries offering it.

In that time she sadly got hassled off two loads of lads.

In London the sellers at the busy tube stations were probably flogging two magazines per minute, in the rush hour, and the ones I used to see in Glasgow sold loads too, but that was mainly because they were quite aggressive in their 'marketing', and would chase you down the street to ensure a sale.

Have you ever bought the Big Issue?

I have very occasionally, mainly because of guilt, because I once fouind one on the tube, entered a competition and won tickets for a film premiere and a load of books on film.

I admire the fact that she's actually trying to earn money for herself, which can't be easy when you're homeless, but is she wasting her time?