Getting Your National Insurance Number

I only recently got my number after being in the Uk for so long. Though, I am still waiting to get my card with my number on it delivered to me. I currently have no real need for it but I figured I better get it while I have the time to. The process for applying for one is simple and easy but getting the actual number is a lengthy wait.

There is a two week waiting period before you get you actual number mailed to you. After about 8 weeks you should than receive you card with your number on it. It has only been about 4 weeks since I applied. If your looking to work in the UK most jobs will need you to have this. Unfortunately you are not able to apply for it outside of the country. It's a small inconvenience but like I said applying for it is not hard at all. Here is what you need to do.

You need to call the closest Job Center to make an appointment to come in. They will asks you a bunch of questions on the phone. Starting with the basic name, address and phone number. Than more serious questions like why your applying for it, what is your nationality etc. You should receive a letter in the post about a day or two later stating the details of your appointment.

For me I had to provide both my UK and Bermudian passport/Valid ID card, and proof of address. At the appointment they ask you a couple questions that I think are irrelevant. They take a copy of your ID and have you sign a few things. They than give you a copy of everything, informing you when you will get everything.

I applied for mine on Feb 3rd and got my number on Feb 14th in the post. Like I said before though, I don't have the card yet.

So yeah thats all there is to it.

LONDON ANIME CON 2011

I few weeks ago I was on Facebook and saw an ad for this convention in London. With London just being 2 hours away and me always wanting to go to an Anime Con, there was no need not to go. I didn't register for a couple weeks after though because I was wanting to here back from some friends. I didn't hear back from them so I just booked everything and went on my own. It was a two day event, held over the weekend.

Day 1

The event was held at the London Metropolitan University, which had an upstairs and a downstairs. Both floors hosted different events simultaneously. Upstairs is were all the vendors and main stage events took place. They had events like "Who's line is it Anime?", "Dub that anime," some guest speakers and movies to end the night. Downstairs, there where three pool tables in one room, the main lounge area had a stage for the entertainment like Esprit D'Air (look them up if you want to know more), an asian group doing para para (didn't get to see them), and a few other bands that really kicked ass. They also had a DDR arcade for those fast feet moving gamers. There was a bar with ridiculously priced drinks. There was  a gaming area behind the bar. These games consisted of Rockband, Smash Brothers, COD: Modern Warfare, Halo Reach, and some classical games. There was a room behind this area where a few of the guess speakers were set for Q&A.

I didn't go to the event in cosplay but I did change once I got inside. It was too could to walk 20 minutes in my cosplay. I was all over the place once I changed. I was upstairs one minute than downstairs the next. I don't think I ever set down for more than a half hour and thats only because I was listening to some of the guest speakers as they caught my interest. There was just so much stuff going on that I didn't want to miss. Besides being alone all the entire time didn't help. I eventually change out my cosplay because I got tired of wearing it. Went in the pool area and set off for a bit. I made some friends with these four guys. We all played pool together. I won 5 out of the 6 games that I played. Everyone loved my sword and kept playing with it. I think at least 10 different people played with it. This guy came and played with it for a bit and the next thing I knew he was gone. I went looking for him upstairs and downstairs and didn't find him. Came back to the pool area and one of the guys told me he was outside. SAFE. Went out and he was just talking about sword techniques with some others. Took it back and went back in and chilled for a bit. The party started. I changed back into my cosplay and partied the rest of the night.

Day 2

I wasn't really feeling today as Day one I was quite irritated that I had to carry all my stuff around when I read that there was going to be a storage area. I just got dressed for the day and left everything back in my hotel room. I got some money out the cash point as I didn't have none the previous day when they had some awesome stuff. Arrived and there was a bit less going on. Downstairs was pretty much just about video gaming. There were tournaments going on all over the place. They turned the pool area into the Super Street Fighter tournament area, The very back room held BlazBlue, Tekken  and King of Fighters tournaments. I was planning on entering the tournament though I knew I had no chance of winning but I didn't feel the spirit. Upstairs they had some vendors again. I was more prepared with money and a full battery to get some footage.

I cant tell you much about went on up here as I spent most of my time downstairs in the gaming area. My friend Cappo asked me to find this guy Ryan Hart and tell him something. This was awkward because I didn't know what he looked like. I went to the very back room and asked the registry guy if he signed up so I can know if he was here. I than asked him what he looked like and where can I find him. He said he is in the Street Fighter area with glasses and messy hair. Got there and there were a number of guys with this description. I asked this one guy if he knew him and he told me the he thinks it's the guy playing on the other side of the table. He was a black guy with a messy fro and glasses. I guess the guy was cautious of saying a black guy. It would have made it a lot easier as the selection would have been less. Got to the guy and asked him if he knew 'Kevin Hart'. He asked me some questions that I couldn't answer. I had his info in my phone. Found it was actually him. Can you say awkward? Gave him the message. Watched him play for a bit than went walk around. 

Ended up in the smaller gaming area. Played Smash Brothers on the game cube with little to no experience. Only played maybe 4 games than left to go on a mission. Went upstairs and went and made friends with a cute girl and chilled with her for a bit. Went get some pocky for the first time. IT'S DELICIOUS. Went draw at the drawing area. I drew Alucard from the Hellsing anime. Then went chill with her again till she left. I set off and watched the event on stage for a bit which was hilarious as they taught people para para. I will put a link at the end of this blog. After it was all over I went back downstairs to watch the last few games of Super Street fighter. The finals were amazing to watch. The lounge area got turned into a party room and the night ended with everyone glowing from a million glowsticks raving and having a good time.

Click here to check out the footage I got.

You will have a laugh I am sure of it.

Shoots in Port Talbot

 An awesome view from the third floor of an apartment building

My one day badge while out on the job

Swansea in the background

this is a huge amount of steam being
released

This area was very industrial

LOOK A HILL
Lets go climb it

This is by far my fav pic I took all day

Travel Research

On January 7th, I went to a library with the lovely Ang. I planned on going there to find some books on learning the Korean or Japanese language as I am quite interested in learning them. Unfortunately this library was not much help. It just had journals, sociology articles and stuff like that. Mostly things for students in Ang's area of study which is Journalism. Ang showed me some books that I would be interested in. She showed me a book on what I think was all the anime movies that have been made if not all, then it was all the major ones. She also got me another book that she was told was really good. When  first walked in I saw an area that had some books that I thought I would be interested in. Ang took me to a room so we can sit down in quiet and read. I put my books down and went to that area to see what I can find.

I looked for maybe 5 minutes for something interesting until I found the best book that I can possibly find at this time. Its called "Working your way around the world". It talks about getting jobs in different countries all over the world. It also talks about what is need to get in the countries like getting a visa and your vaccination shots if needed. It explains about what seems like every area that to work in. There are numerous links and contact info given for each area of work as well.

This book really has everything I was looking for and need to know before I go out and explore the world on my own. I didn't have much time to read all of this unfortunately and have not been back since. With me being the genius that I am, I did something that I think is illegal. No, I didn't steal the book. I took pictures of as much pages as possible on all the main places that I wanted to go. This way I can read the book whenever I wanted to.

I highly recommend giving this book a read. It is extremely informational.

Speaking of breaking the rules, Ang and I broke every rule in that room.

No eating - We ate my apple
No drinking - We drank my water
No stereos - We played some music
Phones off - We both were using our phone

I didn't know this until Ang showed me the rules that were posted above my head. LOL

Exploring Cardiff Part 1

This must be the most horrific thing
I have ever seen here
 

Possible PK area

Pretty cool looking church

loved the lighting

A really cool looking building IMO

If cars only, who is going to drive them?
one of life's mysteries i guess

Cardiff Streets are clean

Don't forget to recycle.

These are recyclable trash bags. If you don't put the right items in these bags you can get a fine from what i have been told

Most residence are built like siamese twins.

Bus stop with times of arrival. Telling you when
it will be there down to the minute. (ie. will arrive in 2mins)

Ohhhhh so here is where all the trash is.

Loved the lighting again.

Lil night pic 

You will not find this kind of parking in
Bermuda

A tiny Car that is pretty popular as I have seen a few.

I love the sky had to take this pic.

This pic does not show how foggy it gets at night.
Love the spirit of this park.

First hair cut in the UK

I have been really skeptical about going to get my hair cut here. I just was not sure if barbers out here are use to cutting a black person's hair as it is not the same as other ethnical groups. Nor do I go to any Barber.

I usually get a hair cut every two weeks but a month goes by and I have yet to go to a barber. I went scouting I think the second week I was here, just never went. With a month of hair on my head and face I felt horrible and looked horrible as you can see below.

I felt like a prophet
with all this on me.

So I finally decided to a recommend barbershop that I looked up on my iPhone app. As I was walking I saw this place. I was thinking to myself at this point whether or not I should go here or to the place I looked up. On one hand you have someone thats familiar with your hair texture and on the other you have a recommended place.

I figure I would see what this place has to offer. I got there and there was only one person and he was in the chair. I didn't have to wait to long.

Got in the chair and was comfortable and not worried bout it. If anything happened I would just wear a hat for the next week. My hair would be long enough to fix with this hair grease I got. Makes your hair grow fast and healthy with all natural products. After he finished I scouted to ensure that it was satisfactory in the mirror. I noticed some parts that still had uneven hair lengths. He went over it and fixed it. It cost me £8 for the hair cut and facial trim. The final result is below. Not bad though he didn't do what I told him with the sideburns. He gets a 7/10.

MUCH BETTER!!!