Starbucks makes me happy

Geoff, Dave, Richard and Sion

I've left my camera in Birmingham... So I thought I'd just post some of my old ones up every now and again, until I get it back :)

Awkward Moment #2

I thought I might share a great moment that I had today while waiting for a tube to my beloved Brixton:
Like all great stories it started with a tiny black mouse, lets call him Steve. So Steve, the hero of this story, is scurrying alone the metal tube line, right in front of a full platform of busy London people and and well me, the unemployed mellow South African. I dived right into the awkward pool by announcing loudly "you better move or you can kiss that hairy little butt of yours good bye" as you do...
Two things happened fairly simultaneously, firstly Steve made a break for it, and escaped his impending doom. Secondly, and more significantly, the two fairly aged ladies next to me looked up, raised there eyebrows and then did this little synchronized crab like shuffle away from me. No smile, just the eyebrows, all four of them, at the same time. I tried in vain to blame Steve but he had conveniently hidden...

Its times like these that I miss Warren Galley

Banking made easy naaaat

Today was a good day

My initial clue as to this joyous truth happened this morning as I was gently awoken by the sounds of “its my life” by Bon Jovi, thank you to Karrang radio... this musical encouragement was exactly what I needed I thought as I reached out and selected my brave trousers. Today was going to be the day that I would once again do battle against the mighty and very evil bank.
However this time I would well prepared, having trained relentlessly over the last 10 days reeling from the great defeat of the 11th. I had with me a list of requirements and letters that would have sent even post man Pat and his belovered cat to an nervous rage. To list but a few items:
South African passport
English passport
Drivers licence
Flight tickets
3 utility bills addressed to the cousin whom I am presently staying with
A certified letter from her to that effect
My proof of address from South Africa
Bank statements from my past bank dating back 6 months
National insurance number
National insurance letter
The forms she would later give me, already filled out
Birth certificate
My first tooth
17 head shot photos and a vile of my blood
all wrapped in a neat envelope.
Fair to say that the beast was slain, although it did not go down without a fight, the administrator was adamant that I should open an overly complicated passport account which would kindly relieve me of 8 pounds a month... not cool... I showed that offer the shredder, brave pants I dare say, and spoke kind words to her manager. The turning point in this epic battle was found when I politely made gesture at the banks slogan “Banking made simple”.


Victory

Night walking and the people it was to and the people who started it just like you

Join the job hunt

I've been looking for a job for the last three days, which has in real terms meant 17 direct job applications, 8 essays, 1 intelligence test, 3 versions of my CV and 5 recruitment agencies, and now I feel that I may save some poor soul hours of pain and suffering by listing a couple of the mistakes, however obvious, that I made this week, so more of a list of things not to do...

1. Do not walk around London with no plan judging potential firms by the architecture of their building and by tying to imagine yourself walking into the office... this is not strategic, and was embarrassing.

2. You cannot apply to a volunteer center for a job that pays cash... that was an awkward and embarrassing meeting that will haunt me for many years.

3. Do not forget to put your London address on your CV, people apparently get confused when you apply for jobs in central London but have a Cape Town address on your CV.

4. Perhaps change your email address from richdevilears@****.com to avoid being laughed at.

On a side note any prospective graduate job seekers in London should expect to be laughed at frequently when applying for jobs, especially when the formidable question of experience is raised and you have none :)

I've had two call backs and have three interviews lined up, so there are jobs here no matter what the news man says

All smiles on this side

So I've been in London for a week, so far, and this is one of the first smiles I've seen for a while hehe, no seriously people here are cold, plus its also really cold here...
In other news tomorrow the job hunt begins: recruitment, temping agents and CV drops. On the upside its been a fantastic first week, and although both Bear Grylls and the Queen have rejected, or rather failed to accept my tea invitations I will continue to try.
I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentines day, I baked cookies and they were delicious
Rich

International Hug Day

10 day count down folks! get involved

- anyone
- anyplace
- anytime
- never hug an octopus

Starbucks

Hyde Park

Wasn't expecting to see this in the middle of London?

Touch Down!

Hello from England!
I'm staying with my cousin in Brixton trying very hard not to get stabbed, so far England can be described as cold
In other news, I had a fantastically awkward moment on the plane, so I had a nice long chat to this air hostess, as you do, and it was chilled she was asking if I was leaving any girlfriends behind, she was pretty old so it was chilled, then after some absence of conversation and me loading hand luggage she said "Valentine?" and I replied "not yet but we can only hope". She gave me a strange side glance, then said "oh no haha, I meant the name Valentine..." it gets worse, so I introduce myself as Richard, and she looks confused... so I'm thinking wow that was not comfortable at all, and then like 20 minutes later I see another air hostess and her name tag is Valentine! she was calling her friend! What a dork, thats why they get paid the big bucks. Anyway, I'm here safely and thats all!

4 days left

Thanks to all those who saw me off at Forries last night it was really great to catch up and say toodles, to those who couldn't make it sorry for the short notice and I hope to hear from you soon :)
The next post will take place on the 5th of Feb from icy england so get very excited!
rich