Marc15Orrock

This deer season I made it a point to get a deer no matter what. I have been craving venison jerky for about a year. This year I decided I was going to do something about it. So after shooting my doe opener weekend I ordered a nine try dehydrator and went to Cabelas to pick up some seasoning. This past weekend everything finally was lined up and I could make the jerky. So Wednesday night I stopped by uncles house and picked up his meat grinder and his jerky shooter. I forgot to take the veniso out of the freezer so it was friday before it was defrosted enough to grind. So I began mixing the spices around noon Friday. A buddy of mine came over around one to assist me. After grinding the meat, mixing it all with the spices, preparing it on the dehydrator trays, and running the dehydrator it was three O'clock in the morning. I had no idea that the process would take that long and demand that much time. It took a lot of time and effort, and the next time a see a bag of jerky selling for six bucks i will better appreciate the value.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today in class we discussed a piece by James Baldwin. The topic was on racism, and how it is still around today. I believe that racism is still out there, but I feel it is not as serious as many people today think it is. It wasn't to long ago everything was segregated and "blacks" and whites" did not co-exist. Now days we are ever so close to making every person equal no matter what race, or gender for that matter, the person is. There always will be those groups of people out there that won't view different races as equals. These are the groups that give society a bad name. I grew up in a small town where we had no minorities in our school. Now that I attend the University of Minnesota the diversity is huge. Just because these minorities have different colored skin then I do does not mean they are any less qualified. In fact I am sure that a lot of them are more qualified.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This past Sunday the Minnesota Vikings hosted former coach Denny Green and his Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings have been in a rut lately and it wasnt looking good early. Minnesoata kicked the ball of to start the game. Not 15 seconds into the game Arizona led 7 - 0. Thanks to a 99 yard touchdown return. The Vikings looked impressive on their first drive answering back with a strong drive that resulted in a touchdown. The number one rush defense in the NFL demonstrated their dominance, but the pass defense was questionable. The vikings ofense seemed to be back on track posting 31 points in the game. It looked over, but thanks two a critcal fourth quarter drive and an onside kick recovery Arizona was left with three final shots to the endzone. Good thing for the Vikings the results were better then 2003 when the Cards beat the Vikes on a last second shot to the endzone. Next week the Vikings roll into Chicago to try and upset the division leading Bears.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 8:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I don't even want to get started on the Vikings. My Mother once told me if I don't have anything good to say don't say anything at all. I think I am going to take her advise this week. Maybe next week will be better.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This past weekend was the final weekend of deer season. I went up to my Grandpa's cabin to in hopes that my luck my change. Saturday morning started pretty good. Around 7:30 I heard steps to the North East of me. So I brought up my gun and watched the shooting lane intently waiting for the deer to cross. But just like my luck has been going this year I cought a glimpse of the deer off to the right walking in thick brush and pine trees. As fast as I seen the deer it disapeared into the thicket. Thinking that this was a good sign my hopes were high for the rest of the weekend, but they slowly drained as the day drew longer. Finally just before dark I heard more footsteps. This time they were comming from the South West. Of course I couldn't see anything through thi pines. Finally it popped out right beneath my stand and waddled into the clearing in front of me. I sat and oserved it until darkness set in. Then I brought up my gun, put the crosshairs on its heart, and pulled the trigger. BOOM, It dropped in its tracks. I had just shot my first Porcupine.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This week in a meeting with our teacher we were supposed to come up with a phrase that we would put on our tombstone. I thought about it for awhile and decided that i would put, "In whatever you do shoot for the monn that way if you miss you land among the stars." I like this saying a lot and I try to live by it everyday. What this saying means to me is that no matter what you do try give it your all. Because if you give it your all but you still don't quite succeed you will still look back at the end of the day and feel good about yourself. If you do something with only half effort later on you may look back and think back and wish you would have given more effort. I think its important to set high personal goals. If you try your hardest to reach these goals at the end of the day you will be a better person.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This weekend the Minnesota Golden Gophers swept the defending national champion Wisconsin Badgers. After a semi disappointing series against the St. Cloud State Huskies the Gophers looked to come out strong against the Badgers, and did they ever. Minnesota won the the first game in a narrow 3 - 2 final score. The second game looked to be controlled by the Badgers until a goal in the third period put them right back in the game. Lucia broke the tie by scoring his first goal of his collegiant career. The Gophers made a statement this weekend, and hope to continue rolling next weekend when they faceoff against Michigan State and Michigan.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 10:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The other day in my english composition classwe discussed whether age determines how good of a teacher you are. I believe that a good teacher is one that has good experience in the field that they are teaching. Also they need to be able to relate to the students. Although with age comes experience, in this case it is not exactly that easy. You do not get as much experience when you observe something rather then participate. For example, someone will learn a lot more about the game of hockey when when a player/former player is teaching as opposed to someone who has casually watched hockey on weekends. Also the teacher needs to be able to relate to the students. A good example of this is when a teacher rambles on about a topic assuming the student knows the vocab and a little background on the topic. You don't learn much in this situation, but if the teacher breaks it down into terms and concepts you can easily comprehend a lot more of it sticks. These are two big qualities that make up a teacher.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 9:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Minnesota Vikings hosted the annual boarder last weekend when the Green Bay Packers were in town. The Packers have been struggling this year, but so have the Vikings as of late. Minnesota came out a little slow and it showed after the first quarter when they trailed ten - zero. They came out in the third quarter and showed signs of life. Billy McMullen scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. This was quite impressive considering he had only one career touchdown comming into the game. After those touchdowns it was all downhill. The Vikings defense held Packers Running back, Green, to under sixty yards rushing. Green came into the game with over 100 yards in each of his last three games. The Packers passing game ripped Minnesota apart for 347 yards and two touchdown passes. Packers prevailed 23 -17. Next week the Vikes square off with former Quarterback Daunte Culpepper and the Miami Dolphins.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 9:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After winning nine of their first ten games the Wild schedule gets dramatically harder. The wild opened the season with seven of their first ten games being played at home. Out of the next eleven games the Wild will play eight on the road. Not only that but the teams that will be opposing them are better. The Wild have dropped four of their last six games. They are looking to end this streek tonight against the banged up Pheonix Coyotes. The Wild are definatly going to be serious contenders for the NorthWest confrence, and for Lord Stanleys Cup. The Wild currently lead the NorthWest confrence by three points. Tune in and watch the next Wild game. It will prove to be very exciting and entertaining.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Minnesota Viking's Offense is in terrible need for some help. They have a quarterback, Brad Johnson, who just can't get it done anymore. He is supposed to be the smart guy who can run the offense, and not make turnovers. Now he is making stupid throws for interceptions, or is to scared to make the throw period. He had three turnovers in last weeks game and threw several off mark. Not to help any Vikings recievers dropped several key passes. Including one by Troy Williamson, that killed the Vikings final drive that would have potentially won the game. They have a strong offensive line and a solid running back, but now need to find playmakers at the quarterback and wide reciever positions. The Vikings defense held San Fransisco to 133 yards of total offense on the game. Pretty dang impressive. Oh ya they still lost 9-3. It was and embarrasing game to watch as a Vikings fan.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So much for my hopes of seeing a lot of deer this opener. Out of our whole hunting party, which consists of eight guys, we seen a total of nine deer. I personally sat on my stand for over 14 hours and seen only one deer. Saturday afternoon when I went in for lunch I was talking with my cousins and I decided that I was going to get a deer this weekend no matter what. So saturday night just as the sun was starting to set the noise of the squirrel behind me started to form into heavy foot steps. So I took out my binoculars and scanned the far ridge. There it was, the deer I had been waiting for. At that point I could care less if it was a monster buck or not. I just wanted some venisan. I seen the doe quartering away about 75 yards from me. So I pulled up my gun, put the crosshairs on the vital area, and pulled the trigger. She dropped instantly, and took the only bullet fired by our party all weekend.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 4:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Monday in my english composition class we watched another part of the seven up series. This is a very interesting serires. The makers chose several different children, age 7, and did a biography of sort on their life. Then every seven years they go back to the same group of kids and do another edition. On Monday we watched the one where the kids are 14 years old. It was cool to see how their lives had either followed what they had planned years ago, or made turns in different directions. Many of the upper class kids ended up following their plan as far as schooling goes. This I believe is due to the parents forcing their own wishes onto the kids. I am very excited to see what has changed next time when they are all 21.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This Saturday is the biggest holiday in Minnesota. No it's not Thanksgiving, or Christmas yet. This Saturday marks the openenig of deer season. People from all corners of the state are getting pumped for this weekend. I know I am. This weekend I am going up north to Laport, Minnesota with my dad, uncle and cousins. Every year we go up there a month in advance to ensure that our stands are still in good shape. Also we scout the area for sign of the monster buck. My stand has seen its better days, but it still supports my weight and is in a prime spot. I have waited all year for this weekend and now it is here. I finished all my homework for the weekend so I won't have anything school related on my mind for the next 72 hours. I have a good feeling about this weekend, I think that big buck just might wander past my stand this year.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 8:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This wee the Minnesota Vikings returned to Monday night football. They were fresh of a big win against Seattle and were going to face another difficult team. The New England Patriots rolled into town this week. The Vikings could have established themselves as a serious contender if they play a close game with the Patriots. But they did the exact opposite of that. Brad Johnson began to show his age a little in this game. He was trying to go deep, and make throws that he doesn't have the arm for. He also made several very bad decisions in the pocket including a pick in the endzone to kill Minnesotas drive. Also the defense that has been the cornerstone of this team this year was picked apart by Patriot quarterback Tom Brady. Brady went 29-43 for 372 yards and 4 touchdowns. It was a hard night to be a Vikings fan. Next up San Fransisco 49ers. Hopefully the Vikes can figure something out before then.

Posted by Marcus Orrock at 8:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)