Have you searched your name on google? I have because I thought why not? You never know what will pop up. Let's face it, I have a very common name, it's so common that I went to junior high with another linda grant. She was white by the way. We were know by our middle names, Linda D. and Linda M. I always wondered what happened to her?

When I started this blog, I put in a google alert for my name and for a solid year, the only Linda Grant that popped up is a well published britsh author.

Well lo and behold, in the last two weeks I finally popped up on google alerts for Linda Grant, both were posts from two other sites, I write for NYC Moms Blog and NYMetropolista.

I am not sure if I should be happy or a tad afraid. Well, what's done is done, right. Everyone should have goal, so maybe one day, I will be known as the other Linda Grant in the publishing world.

My daughter's  birthday celebration continues with a trip to the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Establishing traditions that my daughter will remember when she is older is extremely important to me. I had wanted to continue the tradition of taking her to a Broadway show for her birthday (last year we went to see Mary Poppins) but nothing really popped for me this year.  I had thought of taking her to see the Lion King (which I loved) but thought that I would wait for her eighth birthday.

Then I received a mailer from Ringling Brothers Circus (see marketing folks, direct mail still does work) and aha, I though why not, she has never been to the Ringling Brothers circus and frankly, I hadn't been in over twenty years.

We arrived early for the pre-show access. After the maddening crush to get in, we headed for the floor where you can get up close and personal with some of the acts from the show including the elephants. That was really cool, I must admit, we got to see some of the clowns, men on stilts and my daughter was able to try on costumes.

Onto the Big Top Show. This year's production commemorates P.T. Barnum's 200th birthday (who knew.)
Although, I haven't seen a production in over twenty years, it was truly a three- ring circus and quite the grand spectacle as advertised and for which the circus is famous.

I loved Ringmaster, Jonathan Lee Iverson, who has the most magnificent voice, exquisitely suited for the Big Top.  Along with the numerous funny clowns and pretty showgirls types, there were two outstanding acts that impressed me. First, was the  Flying Caceres family whose claim to fame is the quadruple somersault which they did not make at our show but were incredible, nonetheless and second, was the Torres family who are seven daredevils who ride their motorcycles inside this large steel sphere - all at 65 miles an hour and all at the same time. I have no idea how they stay focused and riding at the same time without crashing but it was amazing to watch.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the parade of elephants. It's is quite a "wow" to see them all lined up doing their act in all three rings.

My daughter really liked the circus especially the Torres family riding their motorcycles and the animals. Who wouldn't love tigers and elephants.

Finally,  I have to pat myself on the back in that I did not succumb to buying a toy. Buying the food was enough to break the bank.  $5.00 for nachos or popcorn, okay but $5.00 for bottled water is just plain criminal.











Disclosure: Tickets were paid for by me.

Here I am over a year later since I was laid off, I am still in search of a full time job. 


I have had some interviews in recent months and thankful to the people who introduced me to the hiring manager but nothing full time obviously has come from them, although I did land a consulting gig from a networking contact. 


Because, I did receive some networking contacts and job interviews from my last post, I thought I would try it again because hey there are more readers of my blog and hopefully, you may know someone at the companies I have listed below.

So if know you have  a contact, friend, or relative at the following companies whereby you can facilate an introduction, I would be most appreciative.  


My background is in loyalty/retention marketing and if you want, feel free to forward my linked in profile to provide them with details on my experience.  


I have expanded my list from the last post. 


Nick Jr (Viacom)
Lifetime.com (Viacom)
Time Warner 
HBO.com
Jet Blue
Cafemom.com (I love this site and have posted for several positions that fit my background but alas not even an email response has come my way)
Scholastic.com
Met Life 
Bank of America (this is a long shot since the marketing team is in North Carolina) 
iVillage.com
Babble.com 
Giltgroupe.com (I really hung up on this company as well since I like the business model and concept and its been getting good press in recent months. But again, applied online for positions that fit my background to a tee and not a peep) 
Morgan Stanley
Dow Jones
Dun and Bradstreet
AIU (formerly AIG)
New York Life
Chubb
JP Morgan Chase (New York office not Delaware)
Apple Bank 

In Sunday's  New York Times, there was an article about an organization, Operation Fairy Dust that collects gently used prom dresses and formal wear for girls who can't afford to buy a prom dress.

So if you have any dresses (less than 10 years) lying around your house, head to Cameo Cleaners which is handling most of the donations. Cameo Cleaners will take care of cleaning and pressing of the garment.

What better way to spend an afternoon, cleaning out your closet and reminiscing about long lost evenings (good and bad) to help out a young girl who otherwise could not afford a dress for the prom. P.S. I am sure  they will take a newly purchased dress as well.

Donations are being accepted until April 15th.

To learn more about the event, here is a video from last year's event. It's  pretty touching video.

This week, it's been widely reported that Kate Gosselin (formerly of Jon and Kate plus eight) spent $35,000 on a makeover to prepare for Dancing with the Stars. The $35,000 was allegedly spent on restylane fillers, veneers, tanning, botox, more hair extensions, highlights and eyebrow shaping. Well, I am okay with this turn of events and for the following reasons.

1. Competition is Fierce in Hollywood- Let's face it, if you were going on Dancing with Stars and going up against Pam Anderson (enuf said), Shannen Doherty, Nicole Schererzinger (the Pussycat Dolls, people)  wouldn't you want to look your best. Those women know what is needed to be camera ready and in HD no less. I know if I was going to make a fool of myself on national television, I would at least want to look good.

2. She looks a gazillion times better - For original viewers like me, who doesn't remember what she looked like four years ago with her mom sweatpants and brown hair. She looked pretty bad but who wouldn't having to stay home with 6 babies.



3. Breadwinner Status - So you hate Kate and wished she'd go away (me too) but she isn't going away. I think she is going to be the next Omarosa. You may hate them but you watch them. Supposedly, there are those at ABC who are attributing the ratings bump on Dancing with the Stars to her (scary.) How is Kate  going to provide for her 8 kids since her ex-husband is a douche and I am sure one step away from a bad reality show or getting some twenty something pregnant.

4. Something to talk about - No more needs to be said.