LoneTree Creative Preserve Authorblog

I have been recently watching a new TV series from Canada called Murdoch Mysteries staring Yannick Bisson who plays the main character Detective William Murdoch.  The series is based upon the books by Maureen Jennings who has received critical acclaim for her mystery novels.

The series is set in 1895 Toronto Canada (not only set there but filmed there as well) that follows a Detective William Murdoch as he solves cases using the newly discovered science of forensics.  He is assisted in his cases by his eager apprentice Constable George Crabbree, along with Doctor Julia Ogden, and his superior Inspector Brackenried.

William Murdoch, was born in Nova Scotia (one of three provinces that make up the Maritime provinces) which is located along the East Coast of Canada and raised as a staunch Roman Catholic.  You find out through the series that he attended a school run by the Jesuits Order, that his father is a drunkard.  He also believes that a blow by his father contributed to the death of his mother.  He also is grieving the death of his fiancée ALiza Miller who die with TB over a year before the start of the TV.  Murdoch is a self-taught scientist that reads and learns constantly and is not afraid of crossing social barriers in pursuit of a criminal.  For all his intelligence and exposure to the ugly side of life there is an air of gentleness and innocence about him.

Constable George Crabbree (played by Johnny Harris) who doesn’t Murdoch’s knowledge in the sciences but more than makes up for it in his eagerness to learn and on one occasion has surprised his mentor in figuring out the entrance to a secret room.  George is not so innocent as his mentor and kind of keeps an eye out for anyone making trouble for him.  He also quietly teases Murdoch about his attraction as well as encourages him to woo the intelligent and lovely Doctor Julia Ogden. 

Doctor Julia Ogden works as Toronto police force’s pathologist and is very bold and forward thinking woman that at times can be very blunt and straightforward.  She tries to distances herself from her high social background but sometimes reverts back to on occasion.  She returns Murdoch’s affection but at times you get the feeling that she is slumming and not serious about him.  That he was a safe diversion from her class.

Inspector Brackenried is Murdoch’s boss and is at times frustrated by and proud of Murdoch.  He doesn’t understand the new science Murdoch employees but after years of working with Murdoch he trusts him and will back him if he needs it.  He might not be able to follow Murdoch’s methods but he has no trouble in the political arena which Murdoch sorely lacks.  Brackenried is quick to judgment and first impressions but when proven wrong he is willing to change.  While Murdoch doesn’t use force, Brackenried isn’t afraid to do so and has on occasion done so.  Murdoch doesn’t care for this but understands that sometimes it is necessary.

There are only 13 episodes in the first season but has been renewed for a second.  There are also three movies based upon the books but they are played by a different actor. 

Personally, I like the series and it takes on many of the issues in that time like discrimination of religion in Glass Ceiling were Murdoch was turned down for promotion because he is Roman Catholic.  In another while solving a man’s death on his wedding day, Murdoch uncovers the fact that the dead bridegroom was a homosexual.  This caused Murdoch some internal struggled because his religion believes that homosexual is a sin while his scientific side knows that it is found in natured.

If you like Sherlock Holmes and CSI (in all its many forms) you will like this series.

Siciliano’s A Taste of Italy

972) 276-8913

2210 W Buckingham Rd, Garland, TX 75042-4900

Siciliano’s is a family owned restaurant that has been in business 25 years and the food is wonderful.  When you go you have to make sure that your are truly hunger because if not then you will be going home with a doggy bag.

First, the interior of the restaurant is lovely with plenty of seating in the waiting area.  They offer both smoking and non-smoking area and they have a lovely patio section that is walled in so that a cold wind won’t bother you on a warm day.

Every table is served with warm homemade garlic rolls that are about 2 inches wide and an inch thick.  Watch how many you eat because they will fill you up.  I had the Tortellini with Alfredo with a bit of meat sauce for lunch.  Let me tell you I had no need to eat dinner because I was still stuff from lunch.  The pasta was soft not rubbery, the Alfredo sauce creamy and rich and the touch of meat sauce in the middle just added a nice flavor.

Sicilliano’s has an excellent and fast lunch menu for those of you on a time table, but for those who have time it usually takes 20 minutes for any entrée to arrive at your table.  The food is always warm and fresh, they keep your drinks filled and the rolls coming.

They have excellent pizza for people with families and a very good children’s menu.

Out of 10 I give them 10.

Genroku Sushi & Grill
400 N. Greenville Avenue Ste 8
Richardson, TX 75081
Tel: 972-783-8688
Website: http://www.genrokusushi.com/index.htm

Genroku is a small restaurant is located in the Oriental section of Richardson Texas and serves authentic items from Taiwan to Japan including Samhimi (raw fish Sushi).

I order the Shrimp Tempura & Beef Teriyaki Bento which cost $11.75 but you get a lot of food. First you are served authentic Mise Shiru soup and a salad with Ginger dressing. Both portions are small but a good beginning for the rest of the menu. Next the main entrée served in a bento box. This means each component of the entrée is in its separate little box. For those of you who don’t like your food touching each other you would love this. In the box you have the Teriyaki Beef, beside it your stick rice and your three pieces of California Roll. Above it you have 4 pieces of Tempura shrimp along with three large pieces of tempura vegetables (Zucchini, sweet potatoes, and a third I don’t know but tastes very good) and beside that you have your dipping sauce for the tempura.

Personally, I find that their tempura batter one of the best that I have every had anywhere. The cooks don’t drown the shrimp in batter but just lightly coat it making it crunch but also enable you to taste the shrimp along with their dipping sauce … perfection. The California roll pieces are very good not the best but still excellent.

The restaurant environment is not fancy but it is clean and comfortable. There is even a bar where you can sit and eat as you want to watch the Sushi chefs work. The food is fresh and wait staff friends and polite. For those on a budget they have many items that are affordable as to families they don’t have a children’s menu but it a good place for you to introduce your children to different cultures and cuisines.

Out of 10 … I give Genrouku a 10

LOON LAKE LODGE
Primary Industry: DINING, FINE FOODS & SPIRITS
6880 E. 82nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone : (317) 845-9011
Fax : (317)854-2995
Website Link : http://www.loonlakelodge.com/

The first thing you notice when you walk in is that it reminds you of a log-cabin resort lodge somewhere in Montana, Wyoming or Colorado. The interior has large tree trunks as beams, hard wood floors, and a large fish tank that the kiddos can look at as you wait for a table.

As you walk into the main restaurant part you will noticed what appears to be stuff animals but they are not. They will actually move and make sounds which children will either love or start crying. If anyone has been to a “Rain Forest” restaurant it is very similar but with North America wilderness animals.

Now the menu has standard fair such as hamburgers, steaks, ribs, fish, and chicken but for those who like to try things they also have American Bison, New Zealand Elk, Tempura Bayou Crawfish, ground rattlesnake, Jambalaya, and Pheasant.

Those of you that do not eat meat but are not vegan they have a list that you can choose 4 from to create a meal for yourself and still be able to enjoy your meal. Children are welcome and they have a nice selection of their favorite foods.

I had the roast beef, which was done to my specifications and very tender and moist. The fresh steam vegetables, salad and fruit that I had with it were excellent. I also tried Crab and Ship Dip and the Crab Stuff Portabella which were also very good and I would recommend it to anyone who likes crab.

They have a wonderful selection of desserts but I was too full to try, but those in my party that did have room recommend both the Lodge Apple Pie, and Chocolate Fudge Fantasy Cake.

Pricing was around the range of someplace like Outback Steakhouse.

I will give it 10 out of 10.

This weeks episode was good, not one of the best but still good and I would recommend watching it. The best part was the growing romance between Jack and Ianto. To this end I captured the kiss that Ianto initiated with Jack:

Just saw the first episode of the new season of Torchwood, and all I have to say is wow!  James character was 2/4 Spike without a soul, 1/4 Spike with a soul, a touch of James Bond, a dash of Captain Kirk stir and will you get Captain John Hart.  A charming, seductive, and Big Bad to quote Spike who is a murder, thief, and Time Cop.

As to the on air chemistry between John’s and James’s characters … will it certainly lived up to everything I heard about.  From the moment they saw each other the air sizzled with tension.  They walked towards each other from different ends of the bar, reminisce of an old west standoff until they stood face to face.  You didn’t know if they would start hitting each or kiss each other senseless and then bang!  They kiss and not just any kiss.  The type of kiss where you swear the two were check to see if the other still had their tonsils.   And then they parted to look each other in the eye and then they start fighting.  When the Torchwood team showed up Jack and Jack started to argue about who was the wife during the 5 year time loop they were stuck in.

I’m not going to say anything more about the plot of the story but one thing I was please to note that Ianto didn’t like Hart nor was he pleased at the interest that he took in his Captain.Now the interesting there is an interesting development hinting at John Harkness’s background and that Marster’s character might make other appearances in Torchwood.All in all it is a must see episode.