Thriller

Last night I saw Thriller performed by Odyssey Dance Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah. For those who do not know what this is, I will tell you. Basically, the dance group performs multiple dance routines based around different scary Halloween themes. Of course, Michael Jackson's Thriller is the opening and closing dance of the production. Yep, they do the whole Thriller dance and that's exciting in it’s self, but the other dances are just as great. I was impressed.
Before and after the performance, Zombies and other demonic and scary creatures crept through the auditorium terrifying the guests. My friend and I had a system to watch out for the zombified women who did all they could to scare the guests. While we chatted, I watched one side of the auditorium and she watched the other. We were never approached. Phew! The zombies crawled on seats and sneaked up on people to get their desired reaction, screams. One girl was so scared of them that the zombies kept on taunting her to get her to scream some more.
As for the dances, my favorite had to be Frankenstein and his Bride. Frankenstein’s bride flawlessly played the part of a limp, dead person after Frankenstein inadvertently broke her neck. She is dragged around the stage and flung around like a rag doll due to Frankenstein’s failed efforts to bring her back to life. My second favorite dance was Dem Bones. The dancers wore glow-in-the-dark bone costumes. All you could see were the glowing bones while they tapped away a scary, yet comical dance.
For many years I have wanted to see this dance production, and now that I finally have, I think that it is going to become an annual event. You should go see it sometime if you are in SLC during Halloween! BTW, my camera wasn't cooperating, so the pictures didn't turn out too great.

Matched - by Ally Condie

This book looks really really really good. Check out the trailer.

http://bit.ly/btHUfw

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Trailer 2 [HD]

The movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 is scheduled for release on November 19, 2010; however, many of us “witches” and “wizards” will stay up late to enjoy it at a midnight showing. I, for one, have watched three of the HP movies for the first time at a midnight showing, as well as multiple other movies. This time around, I will be seeing it at a pre-showing on the 18th at 5 p.m. Don’t be mad! I got lucky this time around and won’t be staying up late to see it.
But, there is something to seeing a midnight movie before it’s released. I feel more excitement for the movie then I would have otherwise because of the anticipation that builds up inside of me throughout the day of the showing. Plus, there is a social aspect to midnight movies—friends gathering together way early to wait in line is all part of the fun. The midnight movie is a great way to hype up the diehard fans, even to the point that they dress up! Way fun to see! And, I would think, there is a method to midnight movie madness—making more money on opening weekend.
So, I’ve had my ticket for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 for a little over a month now, crazy, huh? What is even crazier is that I had a ticket to see The Twilight Saga: Eclipse for about 3 months before the movie was released.

Do you have your ticket for HP yet? Why do you like midnight movies? What makes you stay up late to see a midnight movie when you otherwise could be warm in your bed asleep?

BTW, enjoy the trailer! It has made me all the more excited for the movie to come out!

The Holiday Season

Autumn has somewhat of a bittersweet feel to it for me. I will miss the warmth of the previous season. However, I love autumn changing the color of the leaves and the crisp feel in the air. I love breaking out my fall and winter clothing; however, I do not like the decrease in the temperature. I tend to run cold, thus the cold weather doesn’t agree well with me. My teeth chatter. My knees shake. And I never can get just warm enough. Although, I enjoy sipping hot chocolate and wearing warm clothing, especially scarves. But the best part about the weather changing and autumn charging its way in is the holiday season draws near.
I constitute the holiday season as four holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. There really isn’t another time of the year that grants us so many entertaining holidays within a three-month period of time. I adore these holidays because they get people together for fun parties and gatherings. Friends join together to watch scary movies and trek through haunted corn mazes. Families gather together to eat delicious meals and enjoy each other’s company. Tricks are treated. Blessings are realized. Songs are sung. Trees are decorated. Service is offered. Gifts are given. A new year offers a regeneration of spirit. And love is shared.
With that said, what are your favorite parts of the holidays? Do you have a favorite holiday during this time of the year? You may even share a story that you can remember about a previous holiday season memory.
The holiday season is the best time of the year! I hope that you all enjoy 2010’s holiday season. With love, Julia!

PS: I can't say which holiday season holiday is my favorite, but it would be a toss up between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Blog Name

You may be wondering why I named my blog “Writing Jewels”. Well, here is the answer. My nickname is Jules. Yes, spelled J-U-L-E-S! When I thought of spelling it Jewels, instantly the singer Jewel came into my mind and I did not want to be mistaken for her - I am such a great singer, NOT (emphasis added for sarcasm).
Sometime during my high school years, a couple of friends started to call me Jules. I really liked the sound of it. It was delicious to my ears. Coworkers started to call me Jules. In college, roommates and friends automatically referred to me as Jules without me even telling them it’s my nickname. People still call me Jules – not as many though. Sad, huh?
In my senior year of high school, I had a little crush on one of my teachers. One day during role call, he called me Jules. Out came, “He called me Jules!” followed by a squeal. That was supposed to be one of those inside comments but on accident was vocalized. I was quite mortified because I was a little shy back then.
Oddly enough, my family members have never once called me Jules.
So, when I had the idea to start a blog for my book and other tidbits, the first idea that popped into my head was “Writing Jules” but I didn’t like the look of it. Jewels looked much better. The blog became “Writing Jewels”. It turned out to be a play on words too. Julia (Jules) writes and Julia (Jules) is writing jewels through her novel and posts.

SYTYCD Favorite Pick #1

I got to thinking today about my favorite So You Think You Can Dance routines. The next three posts are my top 3 favorites. Enjoy!

Ramalama (Bang Bang) choreographed by Wade Robson (Season 2)

Why do I like this twisted dance routine? Well, it dips into my darker side. Yes, I have a dark side despite anyone who would dare to beg to differ. I put up this angelic facade but you should know better. (Hehe - devious smile on my face.)

For the 100th episode of SYTYCD, Wade Robson choreographed himself into the routine that took place many seasons previous. I love this routine because of it's edginess, border lining creepy. And, of course, makes me think of Johnny Depp in all his sinister glory! The music drives the depths of death and despair that is portrayed in the dance. It's positively, in the most horrifying ways, delicious!