i just started and i dont know how this level thing works, all i know is that there is a little grey bar underneath the avatar which doesnt tell me jack. how can you tell if your a level 9 from level 10

well if you hover your mouse over the grey bar it will tell you and in your main userpage it will tell your level status and what % it is under your name on the left

kthxbye

On your userpage (here) if you look just under your avatar, you'll find some statistics about your account, including a more accurate measure of your level (including percentage points needed to gain the next level.)

or you can just click your own username on the top left

you can click your name once yoyr logged in and it tell you everything you have done