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Blood Test: Valproic Acid
Article Translations: (Spanish)
What It Is
A valproic acid test measures the amount of valproic acid, which is an anticonvulsant medicine, in a blood sample. Valproic acid is prescribed primarily to prevent seizures.
The seizure disorder epilepsy is a nervous system condition that causes electrical signals in the brain to misfire. These disruptions lead to temporary communication problems between nerve cells, resulting in symptoms that range from mild (blinking or staring into space) to severe (losing consciousness or whole body shaking).
Seizures may be caused by many different conditions, including infections such as meningitis or encephalitis; a congenital (present from birth) brain or blood vessel malformation; brain trauma due to an accident or lack of oxygen at birth; a metabolic or genetic disorder; brain tumor; or stroke. Frequently, the cause is unknown.
Valproic acid also may be used to treat bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by periods of intensely high and low moods, or to help prevent migraine headaches. In many cases, it's used in conjunction with other medications for maximum effectiveness.
Why It's Done
Valproic acid blood levels must stay within a specific range for the drug to work properly. Doctors must prescribe enough to prevent symptoms, but not so much so as to cause unwanted side effects. One of the most serious side effects of valproic acid is liver damage. Because the rate at which the liver can process the drug varies from person to person, the test is often performed at regular intervals throughout treatment.
If a current dose of valproic acid seems to be working, regular blood tests can help ensure that the dose remains steady. If symptoms don't seem to be diminishing or a child is experiencing side effects, the test can be used to adjust the medication to a more effective dose. This kind of close monitoring is especially important if other medications are added to the treatment plan, since some can change the way the body processes valproic acid.
No special preparations are needed for this test. Your doctor may recommend that the test be performed at a certain time — for example, just before your child's daily dose — since valproic acid levels may fluctuate throughout the day. Also, it's important to let the doctor know about any other medications your child may be taking, as these can affect the results.
On the day of the test, it may help to have your child wear a short-sleeve shirt to allow easier access for the technician who will be drawing the blood.
The Procedure
A health professional will usually draw the blood from a vein. For an infant, the blood may be obtained by puncturing the heel with a small needle (lancet). If the blood is being drawn from a vein, the skin surface is cleaned with antiseptic and an elastic band (tourniquet) is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the veins to swell with blood. A needle is inserted into a vein (usually in the arm inside of the elbow or on the back of the hand) and blood is withdrawn and collected in a vial or syringe.
After the procedure, the elastic band is removed. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed and the area is covered with cotton or a bandage to stop the bleeding. Collecting the blood for the test will only take a few minutes.
What to Expect
Either method (heel or vein withdrawal) of collecting a blood sample is only temporarily uncomfortable and can feel like a quick pinprick. Afterward, there may be some mild bruising, which should go away in a day or so.
Getting the Results
The blood sample will be processed by a machine. The results are commonly available after a few hours or the next day.
The valproic acid test is considered a safe procedure. However, as with many medical tests, some problems can happen with having blood drawn. These include:
- fainting or feeling lightheaded
- hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin causing a lump or bruise)
- pain associated with multiple punctures to locate a vein
Helping Your Child
Having a blood test is relatively painless. Still, many children are afraid of needles. Explaining the test in terms your child can understand might help ease some of the fear.
Allow your child to ask the technician any questions he or she might have. Tell your child to try to relax and stay still during the procedure, as tensing muscles and moving can make it harder and more painful to draw blood. It also may help for your child to look away when the needle is being inserted into the skin.
If You Have Questions
If you have questions about the valproic acid test, speak with your doctor. You can also talk to the technician before the procedure.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2024 KidsHealth ® All rights reserved. Images provided by iStock, Getty Images, Corbis, Veer, Science Photo Library, Science Source Images, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com


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Kyosho Mini Buggy Ball Differential
Kyosho Mini Buggy Ball Differential is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Terms & Conditions
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To access certain features of our website, you may be required to create an account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality and security of your account information, including your username and password. You agree to notify us immediately if you become aware of any unauthorized use of your account. We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your account at any time, for any reason, without notice. By creating an account, you agree to provide accurate and complete information and to update your account information as needed to ensure that it remains accurate and complete.
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Ball diff set for MINI-Z Buggy. Delivers improved traction performance.


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What is the One-touch function?
The One-touch function by Sony incorporates Near Field Communication (NFC™) technology. By using Sony® devices with the One-touch function, users can easily and instantly register and pair their Bluetooth® devices to play music and more without the need for any set-up. The One-touch function is a reference to this instant connection between devices, and the One-touch listening is a reference to the music playback feature made possible across an array of One-touch enabled devices.
One-touch listening:
With One-touch listening, you just have to touch your mobile device or tablet for a couple of seconds on the listening device through which you want to play music, or stream other audio content. Listening devices can, for example, be wireless speakers or wireless headphones. The devices connect automatically.
One-touch listening uses NFC and Bluetooth to connect and stream music, so your mobile device, tablet and the listening device (speakers or headphones, etc.) must support NFC and Bluetooth.
With one-touch listening, you can listen to content from, for example, the Walkman® player, the YouTube® app, Internet-radio apps such as TuneIn Radio, or audio book apps.


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The Downward Cat Pose
This is Mr. Midnight. I adopted him a year ago from the animal shelter, along with Topaz and Sarah Kit Kat Kate. They had named him Whiskers, and he had been living there for eight months. (Sarah Kate had also been there for eight months and Topaz had been there for 15 months.) They couldn't find his paperwork because it was still in the PetSmart file. "You mean he went to PetSmart and nobody wanted to adopt him?" I asked. PetSmart stores have a special area where they allow shelter animals to be brought in for adoption—it's a wonderful program, especially for rural, overcrowded shelters like ours.
"Oh he's been there two or three times." PetSmart is 125 miles away.
"How is that possible? He's gorgeous!"
Now I believe that he was simply waiting for me to find him, but it's no wonder he didn't want to get in the cat carrier. He was skittish and frightened and yet purred almost all the way home. He then proceeded to live in a closet for the next couple of weeks. When we realized he came out at night and prowled around (and that Sarah Kate actually had more impressive whiskers than he does), I renamed him Mr. Midnight. It suits him perfectly.
He is sleek and beautiful and about three and a half feet long. He has a small voice and a big purr and went from being offish to not being able to get him off you. When he's not trying to make himself comfortable on my lap (where he never quite fits) he likes, as you can see, to sprawl.
Want to see more pussycat pics?
Sarah Kit Kat Kate
Patchy Cat
New Cat
Molly Doodlebug (aka The Doodle Monster)
(Sorry, still no photos up yet of Sylvester)
© Copyright 2008 FarmgirlFare.com, the award-winning blog where yes, this hideous cushion is actually part of The Shack's decor, though it's usually covered with a sheet (it was here when I moved in and is one of the many things that will not be making the move)—and one of our favorite people in the world is Bernie Berlin, a tireless animal advocate who is the amazing force behind (the always short of funds) A Place to Bark . . .and Meow and singlehandedly saves hundreds of unwanted dogs and puppies from being put to death each year.


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text: Inspired by the perennial New York Times bestseller of the same name, "What to Expect When You're Expecting" is a hilarious and heartfelt big screen comedy about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood. Over the moon about starting a family, TV fitness guru Jules and dance show star Evan find that their high-octane celebrity lives don't stand a chance against the surprise demands of pregnancy. Baby-crazy author and advocate Wendy gets a taste of her own militant mommy advice when pregnancy hormones ravage her body; while Wendy's husband, Gary, struggles not to be outdone by his competitive alpha-Dad, who's expecting twins with his much younger trophy wife, Skyler. Photographer Holly is prepared to travel the globe to adopt a child, but her husband Alex isn't so sure, and tries to quiet his panic by attending a "dudes" support group, where new fathers get to tell it like it really is. And rival food truck chefs Rosie and Marco's surprise hook-up results in an unexpected quandary: what to do when your first child comes before your first date? A kaleidoscopic comedy as universal as it is unpredictable, "What to Expect When You're Expecting" finds humor and uplift in all the unexpected trials and triumphs of welcoming a child into the world. The film stars Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone and Joe Manganiello.


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During almost two weeks since a cease-fire took effect in Syria, hundreds of people have been killed. The killing continues despite the agreement by Syria's government and rebels, and despite the presence of United Nations monitors. NPR's Kelly McEvers is tracking this situation from Beirut.
Hi, Kelly.
KELLY MCEVERS, BYLINE: Hi.
INSKEEP: What's gone wrong?
MCEVERS: Well, the agreement was supposed to be that the Syrian government troops would pull all of its, you know, heavy weapons and soldiers out of the cities and towns of Syria. They agreed to it. They told the U.N. that they were going to do it. And basically, in most cities and towns, they haven't done it.
Yesterday, a U.N. official said that not only do we have reports from eyewitnesses inside Syria, but there's also satellite imagery that the tanks - the armored personnel carriers have not left the cities. And we also know - what human rights groups and witnesses are telling us is that basically, hundreds of people have died since this so-called cease-fire has gone into place. So this is clear that the government is not complying, keeping up its end of the bargain.
Rebels aren't keeping up their end, either. They had said that once the government pulled its troops out, that they would stop attacks. What we've seen now is sort of a trend of rebel assassinations of military officers, intelligence officers - just three killed yesterday - and the rebels claiming responsibility. So you can say that this so-called cease-fire really just is nonexistent at this point.
INSKEEP: Now, with that said, there are U.N. observers that go into different parts of the country; things seem to be quiet when they get there.
MCEVERS: That's what happens. They go to a place, and things quiet down. It seems like the tanks kind of pull back a few blocks or a few miles, and everything calms down. But what we heard yesterday in the city of Hama was something, actually, very disturbing.
The U.N. observers, they went in; they talked to people. People said look, government troops and government-backed thugs are continuing the killing. And then once the monitors left, the troops came back in - as if in punishment for speaking to the monitors in the first place. So, in fact, some people told us that they were threatened beforehand - don't you dare talk to those monitors, or we'll come after you. And that's what appears to have happened.
We've got 34 names of people who were killed in shelling by government troops, and then sort of house-to-house killing by some of these government-backed thugs. So the next time the monitors went back to Hama, I think people were really reluctant to talk to them again.
INSKEEP: So it's becoming apparent, perhaps even to the U.N. observers themselves, that there's no cease-fire for them to observe here.
MCEVERS: Right. And this puts these observers in a really interesting position. I mean, usually when you think of U.N. peacekeepers, they're there to keep a peace that's already been agreed upon. And they come in, and it's usually two states, or two groups, that have said look, we've agreed to a truce here.
This is obviously not the case in Syria, so what are these monitors doing? What are these observers there for? In some sense, they're there to create the peace.
What we saw in the city of Homs, which has been one of the most violent places throughout this conflict more than a year now, is that now that two U.N. observers have stationed themselves there sort of indefinitely, the violence has dropped considerably. So all of a sudden, these monitors, you know, instead of - again - sort of watching something happen or sort of ensuring that something is happening, they're making it happen.
INSKEEP: Is there something left for the United Nations to do that the U.N.'s member nations, the Security Council, can actually agree on, to do next?
MCEVERS: This is the million-dollar question in this whole thing. It's sort of, what's the "or else" here? You know, what does the United Nations say to the Syrian government? You've got to comply. You've got to knuckle down here and pull these troops out, and stop killing your own people - or else.
There's some talk now that the United States is considering a so-called plan B; that that may or may not include some kind of safe zone inside Syria that would require a military presence to protect people inside the safe zone. But huge questions remain about that. Would the entire Security Council back that, and what kind of military presence would be required to do it? I think those are a lot of questions that haven't been answered yet.
INSKEEP: NPR's Kelly McEvers in Beirut. Kelly, thanks very much.
MCEVERS: You're welcome.
INSKEEP: This is NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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The Little Theatre of Alexandria's production of Harry Segall's stage play, "Heaven Can Wait," got off to a rocky start Monday night when the play's co-producer and assistant director Mary Ayala-Bush had to jump into the part of Messenger 7013. She had only been given the part a few hours earlier that afternoon, and truth be told, she was reading the lines off a clipboard while ad-libbing the rest.
No matter, she's a pro, and by the time you read this she'll have it down pat. But it was touch-and-go opening night.
Even a casting glitch could not have derailed this lively production, enhanced mightily by the superb portrayal of boxer Joe Pendleton by Brandon DeGroat, who is a pro wrestler, movie actor and professional stuntman. DeGroat proves he can handle the topsy-turvy role with more than just his swarthy matinee idol looks. He knocks out the audience with his talent for boxing feints, jumping rope double time, sofa vaulting and stage-shaking pratfalls.
Historically the play is a familiar one that found its film incarnation with "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," starring Robert Montgomery and Claude Rains. Later it emerged as the Oscar-winning film "Heaven Can Wait," starring Warren Beatty, James Mason and Julie Christie, and more recently Chris Rock starred in an adaptation called "Down to Earth."
In this version our hero is boxer and erstwhile fighter pilot Pendleton, who is taken to heaven early by an over-zealous angel. When the mix-up is discovered at the Pearly Gates, the celestial doorman Mr. Jordan, elegantly played by Cal Whitehurst, promises Joe he has another 60 years to go before his number is up.
"Everyone builds himself through the power of the soul," he advises, and the two go off in search of an appropriately athletic body for Joe to continue his blossoming career.
"I could put you in the body of a gnat," Jordan suggests. But before he can locate the perfect athletic specimen Joe must assume the body of murdered millionaire investor, Leo Farnsworth, and it is as Farnsworth that Joe meets the love of his life, Bette Logan (Melissa Berkowitz), setting off an intricate plan to be together.
The play begins to breathe fire when Pendleton, as Farnsworth, reunites with his agent Max Levene (John Shackelford) to reschedule the pivotal fight that will secure his place in the pantheon of the world's greatest boxers. But first he has to convince Max he is indeed the same Joe … albeit in a millionaire's body.
Shackelford and DeGroat have the ability to electrify when they share the stage — which thankfully is the heart and soul of this production. I can't say enough about Shackelford's beguiling brilliance in the role of Max, the agent who has one eye fixed firmly on his client's newly acquired wealth and the other on his old buddy's success. He shows a keen sense of timing coupled with a canny ability to seamlessly morph from naive to crafty. His performance is nothing less than riveting.
If you're up for a comedy rolled into a drama wrapped in a love story, catch this one soon.
"Heaven Can Wait" runs through March 17 at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria. For tickets and information, call the box office at 703-683-0496 or visit www.thelittletheatre.com


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Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Wind-power foes object to forum sites
Credit: By DAN SEUFERT, Union Leader Correspondent | November 21, 2013 | www.unionleader.com ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
ALEXANDRIA – Opponents of a wind-power project along ridgelines near Newfound Lake and Cardigan Mountain are questioning why public workshops to explain the contentious issue are being held in areas not directly affected by the construction of the eye-catching towers.
Five statewide citizen polling workshops are planned during the first two weeks of December. New Hampshire residents or property owners can preregister for one workshop, at which consultants will present background material on the state's siting process. There will be discussion and then keypad "voting" or polling on options to address gaps or deficiencies in the process.
Wind Watch President Lori Lerner noted that the meeting places are close to home bases of support for business interests that last winter helped defeat legislation asking for a moratorium on new energy projects.
"It appears the venues chosen are in areas that are not impacted by industrial wind projects or Northern Pass. It would make sense to hold a meeting in an area like Newfound Lake that currently has one wind plant operational (to its north in Groton) and is facing three new proposals for industrial wind facilities, to include the potential for up to 100 40-50 story wind turbines, in addition to the existing 24 turbines."
The workshops will take place on Dec. 3 at Manchester Memorial High School cafeteria in Manchester; on Dec. 4 at the Groveton High School gymnasium in Groveton; on Dec. 5 at the Keene Recreation Center in Keene; on Dec. 9 at the town of Newington Main Hall in Newington; and on Dec. 10 at the Winnisquam Regional High School cafetorium in Tilton.
"We can expect that the Nashua-Manchester Chambers, the IBEW, Northern Pass and other energy developers will encourage their members and advocates to preregister for workshops," Lerner said.
John Dineen of Bridgewater heard the news and issued a quick question to New Hampshire Wind Watch, a group monitoring new wind-energy projects in the state.
"Do you think we can get a change from Winnisquam Regional High School to Plymouth State University?" Dineen asked. "This is the place where it's happening, not the other lake."
The sponsors of the bills said Thursday that they were studying that request.
The workshops are being held to gather residents' input. Each workshop will include brief presentations on the current Sight Evaluation Committee process, challenges and alternatives, as well as public discussions.
Sign-ins for the workshops will begin at 5 p.m., and the meetings will start at 6 p.m. and are expected to end about 9:30 p.m.
Sponsored by state Sen. Jeanie Forrester, R-Meredith, and others earlier this year, Senate Bill 99 created the committee to study the state's energy-siting process. There has been recent widespread dissatisfaction with the process, especially among Northern Pass electric line and wind turbine opponents.
Project opponents are questioning whether the Site Evaluation Committee, which has authority over new energy plans in the state and is the subject of the Senate bill, has the proper resources and manpower to consider the projects coming before it.
The committee report is due at the end of December, and the study has now reached its final stage in which broad citizen input is requested. Raab Associates is the consultant that will be soliciting opinions on behalf of the coordinating committee, which includes Forrester, Rep. Suzanne Smith, D-Hebron, and others.
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe "fair use" as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar "fair dealing" provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
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Effective Date: 5/5/2021
(a) In General.
(1) Form and Contents.
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(i) state the title of the action, the court in which it is pending, and its civil-action number;
(ii) command each person to whom it is directed to do the following at a specified time and place: attend and testify; produce designated documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things in that person's possession, custody or control; or permit the inspection of premises; and
(iii) if the subpoena seeks only pretrial or prehearing production of documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things or the inspection of premises, set out the text of the notice in Rule 45(f).
(B) Command to Attend a Deposition; Notice of the Recording Method. A subpoena commanding attendance at a deposition must state the method for recording the testimony.
(C) Combining or Separating a Command to Produce or Permit Inspection; Specifying the Form for Electronically Stored Information. A command to produce documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things or to permit the inspection of premises may be included in a subpoena commanding attendance at a deposition, hearing or trial or may be set out in a separate subpoena. A subpoena may specify the form or forms in which electronically stored information is to be produced. The phrase "electronically stored information" includes reasonably accessible metadata that will enable the party seeking production to have the ability to access such information as the date sent, date received, author, and recipients. The phrase does not include other metadata unless the party seeking production and the subject of the subpoena agree otherwise or the court orders otherwise on motion and a showing of good cause for the production of certain metadata.
(D) Command to Produce; Included Obligations. A command in a subpoena to produce documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things requires the responding party to permit inspection, copying, testing, or sampling of the materials.
(2) Issued by Whom. The clerk must issue a subpoena in the name of the court for the county in which the action is filed, signed but otherwise blank, to a party who requests it. That party must complete it before service. An attorney authorized to practice in North Dakota also may issue a subpoena, which must be signed by the attorney, include the attorney's office address and identify the party the attorney represents.
(3) Subpoena in Out-of-State Action. N.D.R.Ct. 5.1 defines the procedure for discovery or depositions in an out-of-state action.
(b) Service; Notice.
(1) Service of Subpoena.
(A) A subpoena to a named person must be served under Rule 4(d). A subpoena may be served at any place within the state.
(B) If the subpoena requires the person's attendance, fees for one day's attendance, mileage and travel expense allowed by law must be tendered. If fees, mileage and travel expense are not tendered with the subpoena, the person need not obey the subpoena. Fees, mileage and travel expense need not be tendered if they are to be paid by the state or a political subdivision.
(2) Service of Notices.
(A) Notice of Deposition. If the subpoena commands a person to attend, give testimony and produce documents, electronically stored information or tangible things at a pretrial deposition, then before the subpoena is served, a notice to take a deposition must be served on each party.
(B) Notice of Demand for Production or Inspection. If a deposition notice has not been served, and if the subpoena commands the production of documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things or the inspection of premises before trial, then before it is served, a notice of demand for production or inspection must be served on each party.
(C) Notice Mandatory Before Service of Subpoena. The notice required by Rule 45(b)(2)(A) and (B) must be served on each party under Rule 5(b) before a subpoena for a pretrial deposition, for pretrial production of documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things or for the inspection of premises may be served.
(c) Protecting a Person Subject to a Subpoena.
(1) Avoiding Undue Burden or Expense; Sanctions. A party or attorney responsible for issuing and serving a subpoena must take reasonable steps to avoid imposing undue burden or expense on a person subject to the subpoena. The issuing court must enforce this duty and impose an appropriate sanction, which may include lost earnings and reasonable attorney's fees, on a party or attorney who fails to comply.
(2) Command to Produce Materials or Permit Inspection.
(A) Appearance Not Required. A person commanded to produce documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things, or to permit the inspection of premises need not appear in person at the place of production or inspection unless also commanded to appear for a deposition, hearing or trial.
(B) Objections. A person commanded to produce documents or tangible things or to permit inspection may serve on the party or attorney designated in the subpoena a written objection to inspecting, copying, testing or sampling any or all of the materials or to inspecting the premises or to producing electronically stored information in the form or forms requested. The objection must be received before the earlier of 24 hours before the time specified for compliance or ten days after the subpoena is served. If an objection is made, the following rules apply:
(i) At any time, on notice to the commanded person, the serving party may move the issuing court for an order compelling production or inspection.
(ii) These acts may be required only as directed in the order, and the order must protect a person who is neither a party nor a party's officer from significant expense resulting from compliance.
(3) Location.
(A) Resident Witness. A subpoena may require a resident of this state to attend a deposition only in the county where the person resides, is employed or transacts business in person, or at a convenient place ordered by the issuing court. A resident may be required to attend a hearing or trial any place within this state.
(B) Nonresident Witness. A subpoena may require a nonresident of this state who is served with a subpoena within this state to attend a deposition ,hearing or trial in any county of this state.
(4) Quashing or Modifying a Subpoena.
(A) When Required. On timely motion, the issuing court must quash or modify a subpoena that:
(i) fails to allow a reasonable time to comply;
(ii) requires attendance beyond the location requirements of Rule 45 (c)(3);
(iii) requires disclosure of privileged or other protected matter, if no exception or waiver applies; or
(iv) subjects a person to undue burden.
(B) When Permitted. To protect a person subject to or affected by a subpoena, the issuing court may, on motion, quash or modify the subpoena if it requires:
(i) disclosing a trade secret or other confidential research, development, or commercial information; or
(ii) disclosing an unretained expert's opinion or information that does not describe specific occurrences in dispute and results from the expert's study that was not requested by a party.
(C) Specifying Conditions as an Alternative. In the circumstances described in Rule 45 (c)(4)(B), the court may, instead of quashing or modifying a subpoena, order appearance or production under specified conditions if the serving party:
(i) shows a substantial need for the testimony or material that cannot otherwise be met without undue hardship; and
(ii) ensures that the subpoenaed person will be reasonably compensated.
(d) Duties in Responding to a Subpoena.
(1) Producing Documents or Electronically Stored Information.
(A) Documents. A person responding to a subpoena to produce documents must produce them as they are kept in the ordinary course of business or must organize and label them to correspond to the categories in the demand.
(B) Form for Producing Electronically Stored Information. If a subpoena does not specify a form for producing electronically stored information, the person responding must produce it in a form or forms in which it is ordinarily maintained or in a reasonably usable form or forms.
(C) Electronically Stored Information Produced in Only One Form. The person responding need not produce the same electronically stored information in more than one form.
(D) Inaccessible Electronically Stored Information. The person responding need not provide discovery of electronically stored information from sources that the person identifies as not reasonably accessible because of undue burden or cost. On motion to compel discovery or to quash, the person from whom discovery is sought must show that the information sought is not reasonably accessible because of undue burden or cost. If that showing is made, the court may nonetheless order discovery from such sources if the requesting party shows good cause, considering the limitations of Rule 26(b)(1)(B). The court may specify conditions for discovery.
(2) Claiming Privilege or Protection.
(A) Information Withheld. A person withholding subpoenaed information under a claim that it is privileged or subject to protection as trial preparation material must:
(i) expressly make the claim; and
(ii) describe the nature of the withheld documents, communications, or tangible things in a manner that, without revealing information itself privileged or protected, will enable the parties to assess the claim.
(B) Information Produced. If information is produced in response to a subpoena that is subject to a claim of privilege or of protection as trial-preparation material, the person making the claim may notify any party that received the information of the claim and the basis for it. After being notified, a receiving party must promptly return, sequester, or destroy the specified information and any copies it has; must not use or disclose the information until the claim is resolved; must take reasonable steps to retrieve the information if the receiving party disclosed it before being notified; and may promptly present the information to the court under seal for a determination of the claim. The person who produced the information must preserve the information until the claim is resolved.
(e) Contempt. The issuing court may hold in contempt a person who, having been served, fails without adequate excuse to obey the subpoena. A nonparty's failure to obey must be excused if the subpoena purports to require the nonparty to attend or produce at a place outside the limits of Rule 45(c)(3).
(f) Notice. All subpoenas commanding only pretrial or prehearing production of documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things or the inspection of premises must contain the following notice:
"You may object to this subpoena by sending or delivering a written objection, stating your valid reason, to [Insert the name and address of the party, or attorney representing the party seeking production of documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things or the inspection of premises]. Any objection must be received within ten days after you receive the subpoena. If the time specified in the subpoena for compliance is less than ten days, any objection must be received at least 24 hours before the time specified for compliance.
If you make a timely objection, you do not need to comply with this subpoena unless the court orders otherwise. You will be notified if the party serving the subpoena seeks a court order compelling compliance with this subpoena. You will then have the opportunity to contest enforcement.
Failure to obey this subpoena, without making a timely objection, and stating a valid reason, may be contempt of court."
Rule 45 was amended, effective July 1, 1981; January 1, 1988; January 1, 1995; March 1, 1997; March 1, 1999; March 1, 2007; March 1, 2008; March 1, 2009; March 1, 2012; March 1, 2013; March 1, 2014; March 1, 2017; May 5, 2021.
Rule 45 was revised, effective January 1, 1995, in response to the 1991 federal revision. Significant changes to North Dakota's rule include the following: (1) An action must be filed before a subpoena may issue; (2) A subpoena may compel a non-party to produce evidence independent of any deposition; (3) A subpoena may compel the inspection of premises in the possession of a non-party; and (4) Notice must be printed on a subpoena advising of the right to object when pretrial or prehearing production or inspection is commanded. The scope of discovery under Rule 26 is not intended to be altered by the revision.
Rule 45 was amended, effective March 1, 2008, in response to the 2006 federal revision. Language was added to the rule to clarify that production of electronically stored materials may be demanded by subpoena and to provide guidance in dealing with requests for electronically stored materials.
Rule 45 was amended, effective March 1, 2009, in response to the 2007 amendments to Fed.R.Civ.P. 45. The language and organization of the rule were changed to make the rule more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules.
Subparagraph (a)(1)(A)(iii) was amended, effective March 1, 2013, to clarify that the notice required by subdivision (f) must be made part of the subpoena when the subpoena seeks only pretrial or prehearing production of documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things or the inspection of premises.
Subparagraph (a)(1)(C) was amended, effective March 1, 2014, to explain that the phrase "electronically stored information" includes reasonably accessible metadata.
Paragraph (a)(2) was amended, effective March 1, 2017, to remove the requirement that a subpoena issued by a clerk have a seal affixed.
Paragraph (a)(3) was amended, effective March 1, 2013, to direct persons to N.D.R.Ct. 5.1 for information about how to proceed with discovery in this state in an action pending in an out-of-state court. N.D.R.Ct. 5.1 outlines procedure for interstate depositions and discovery.
Subdivision (b) was amended, effective March 1, 2007, to eliminate the requirement for parties to serve a separate notice for production when commanding a person to attend a deposition to give testimony and produce documents or things.
Paragraph (b)(2) was amended, effective March 1, 2009, to make it clear that notice must be served on each party in a matter before a subpoena to take testimony or for production is served.
Paragraph (c)(4)(C)was amended, effective May 5, 2021, to correct a cross-reference.
Subdivision (f) was amended, effective March 1, 1999, to allow an objection to a subpoena to be sent via a commercial carrier as an alternative to mail.
SOURCES: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of April 29. 2021, page ___; September 24-25, 2016, page 26; January 31-February 1, 2013, pages 24-25; September 27, 2012, pages 8-10; January 26-27, 2012, pages 3-7; September 30, 2011, pages 12-15; April 28-29, 2011, page 25; September 23-24, 2010, pages 32-33; April 24-25, 2008, pages 22-25; September 28-29, 2006, pages 25-27; April 27-28, 2006, pages 14-15; January 29-30, 1998, page 20; January 25-26, 1996, page 20;January 27-28, 1994, pages 11-16; April 29-30, 1993, pages 4-8, 18-20; January 28-29, 1993, pages 2-7; May 21-22, 1987, page 3; February 19-20, 1987, pages 3-4; October 30-31, 1980, pages 26-29; November 29-30, 1979, page 12; Fed.R.Civ.P. 45.
CROSS REFERENCE: N.D.R.Civ.P. 26 (General Provisions Governing Discovery), N.D.R.Civ.P. 30 (Depositions Upon Oral Examination), and N.D.R.Civ.P. 31 (Depositions of Witnesses Upon Written Questions); N.D.R.Crim.P. 17 (Subpoena); N.D.R.Ev. 510 (Waiver of Privilege by Voluntary Disclosure)); N.D.R.Ct. 5.1(Interstate Depositions and Discovery).
Effective Date | Obsolete Date | |
05/05/2021 | View | |
03/01/2017 | 05/05/2021 | View |
03/01/2014 | 03/01/2017 | View |
03/01/2013 | 03/01/2014 | View |
03/01/2012 | 03/01/2013 | View |
03/01/2009 | 03/01/2012 | View |
03/01/2008 | 03/01/2009 | View |
03/01/2007 | 03/01/2008 | View |
03/01/2001 | 03/01/2007 | View |
03/01/1999 | 03/01/2001 | View |
01/01/1995 | 03/01/1999 | View |


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That's right, on Jennifer's homemade mayonnaise recipe, we were credited with the always-impressive immersion blender method seen herein. She even called me a genius, which is obviously a very, very slight exaggeration. I feel kind of guilty since I didn't invent this technique, but since I don't remember who showed me, it's just going to be easier to take credit.
Jennifer and I have very similar tastes, and if you like my videos I'm fairly sure you'll love this book. I really enjoy when a cookbook author shares little stories and anecdotes to introduce the recipes, and she's done that throughout.
To understand where a recipe comes from, and why it's being shared, always makes it more fun to cook and savor. That's why I talk so much during my videos. Anyway, for more info, follow this link to Amazon where Homemade with Love is enjoying rave reviews. Enjoy!
Ingredients for 1 1/2 cups Garlic and Basil Mayonnaise:
1 cup basil leaves
3 cloves finely minced garlic
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 tsp salt, or to taste
cayenne and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil or a lighter tasting olive oil (or a combination of the two)
*For regular plain mayo, I generally recommend a neutral tasting vegetable oil like canola.
View the complete recipe


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Each house staff member is issued a contract each year until the conclusion of training. All house staff at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC) will be promoted upon the satisfactory completion of the program year and evidence of satisfactory progressive scholarship and demonstration of clinical competence and professional growth. Each house staff member will receive regular and timely assessment of his/her overall performance and competencies (in patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice). The procedures referenced in the Policy and Procedures for the Evaluation and Advancement of House Staff are designed to ensure that all house staff members are promoted to a higher level of responsibility at the appropriate time.
Those house staff members who have not satisfactorily completed the program year and who fail to show evidence of satisfactory progressive scholarship or to demonstrate clinical competence and professional growth, may be offered a remediation plan of action prior to promotion, as deemed appropriate by the Program Director and as described in the Policy and Procedures for the Evaluation and Advancement of House Staff. House staff members denied promotion or reappointment are provided due process as described in the UIHC Statement on House Staff Member Concerns and in Article IV, Section VII of the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the UIHC and its Clinical Staff; in the case of a denial of promotion or denial of a reappointment, the Program Director should consult with the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Director who may confer with UIHC Legal Services.


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"What do women want?" Sigmund Freud once famously asked. Aretha Franklin answered him just as famously: "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me!"
If you haven't been keeping up with the current online eruption surrounding Elevatorgate — and I suspect most of you have at least heard about it, as Skepchick and Pharyngula are just slightly more widely read than our little blog — I will just direct you to those sites for the full-immersion experience. But to recap, here are the main bullet points...
Rebecca Watson of Skepchick fame attends a conference overseas. Gets hit on by clueless doof in the hotel elevator at 4 AM, brushes him off. Mentions the incident in her talk, as well as online, saying, in effect, "Hey guys, don't do stuff like that, thanks."
This being the Internet, the situation Escalates into full-on web drama. Loser guys with same sense of clueless entitlement blow Rebecca's reaction all out of proportion, make her out to be stick-up-the-ass prude who pilloried some poor Nice Guy for the ghastly crime of asking her for coffee. Larger group of Rebecca defenders jump in, including PZ, Jen at Blag Hag, and many others, chiding the guys for not getting it and pointing to a very real problem of acculturated sexism that infects the skeptical/atheist community just as it does the wide world.
Then, out of the blue, Rebecca gets a "Methinks the lady doth protest too much" note from no less a luminary than Richard Dawkins, the boneheadedness of which stupefies everyone (except, of course, the clueless doof brigade). Short version: in a world in which women are undergoing such horrors as genital mutilation and death by stoning, any chick who has nothing more to complain about than an unwelcome pass in an elevator is clearly a petulant whiner. Seriously.
Understandably incensed — I mean, way to miss the point, Prof! — Rebecca publicly chastises and disowns Dawkins. And now, it appears the godless Internet is splitting into Team Rebecca and Team Richard camps.
From such pebbles do avalanches begin.
I will make my position so clear even a gerbil with dyslexia should be able to get it, because this is the Internet, and it appears one's words can be wildly misunderstood and misrepresented here. (Who knew?) In six words: Dawkins is wrong, Rebecca is right. Dawkins' point — which is fundamentally no different than telling atheists that in a world where the godless are burned at the stake, we're being kind of petty to complain about "little" things like God in the Pledge or creationism in the classroom — is simply wrong. He's as wrong as a wrong thing with the word wrong written on it by someone who can't spell.
Now, TAM9 is coming up, and I am concerned that the backwash from all this is going to cast an ugly pall over a convention that ought to be the community's annual high point. It isn't that Rebecca and her supporters (hello, I am one) aren't justified in their anger. They are. But...
The whole "throwing Dawkins under the bus" thing is, I think, unproductive. We are rationalists. We pride ourselves on our capacity for reason, which we boast of having more of than anyone else. So what do we do about this? Do we employ our reason, and turn this event into the teachable moment it needs to be? After all, Dawkins wrote TGD, in his words, in the interest of "raising consciousness." Clearly, acculturated sexism is a matter about which Dawkins desperately needs his consciousness raised. Will we give him the chance to do this? After all, the man's achievements over the last decade in the service of promoting atheism and reason — culminating in both topics today being suitable for bestselling books, rather than shameful topics you just cannot mention in polite society — are considerable, and the debt atheists worldwide owe him is incalculable. I am simply acknowledging a fact, not putting the man on a pedestal or anything. He's done a lot, and that deserves recognition.
So how do we pay him back for this? Do we say, "You helped us gain stature and credibility. Now you apparently need our help, getting over some ideas of privilege you seem to have a problem with. Here. This is why you are wrong. Please think about these things and man up to your mistake." This, is seems to me, is the path of rationality.
Or, do we abandon rationality, give ourselves over to emotion, anger and ego, and circle the wagons around the sense of righteousness gained from believing that we've taken the right side of a split? (Note: I do not accuse Rebecca of this, as she's responding to a personal insult and has every right to respond as she chooses. But I think such a thing would be the case if skeptics en masse did so.) I can think of nothing that would disappoint me more than to witness the drama of a mass walkout of Dawkins' speech at TAM. I would understand it, but I'd wish a path had been taken towards allowing this conflict to be something the godless community saw as an opportunity for education and problem solving, rather than digging in trenches.
Attitudes of sexism and male entitlement do exist among those of us who consider ourselves rationalists. You should see some of the fratboy bullshit that pops up in the chat room when either Jen or Tracie are on the show. It's like, WTF? Who are you people?
I know that I myself had to unlearn a lot of my own acculturation, and I am equally sure I'd get a "Needs Improvement" grade on my efforts even today. But I know that when I was younger, less secure and a bit more arrogant, I reacted poorly to rejection in ways that I can only now, years later, understand were wrong and, yeah, pretty damned creepy. I had to outgrow feeling sexually entitled, just like I had to outgrow homophobia. My perceived loneliness and need to dip my wick was not, I had to learn, any woman's problem to solve. There is so much about my 20-24 year old self that embarrasses me to remember.
But I learned, and am still learning, and I want those who still need to learn — even if they are 70-year-old celebrity scientists — to be able to do so. It's harder to change your attitudes as you get older, as you get set in your ways. But I think it can still be done.
For the most part, I do see an effort to correct and educate Dawkins has been made. Dawkins has asked to be led to understanding of where he is wrong, even if, as far as I could tell, he may still not yet get it.
What I want to happen out of this is consciousness-raising. Will TAM9 be the event that helps that occur, or that divides us further? I guess we will see.


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It is hard for those of us who grew up with wargames, who loved them, who spent so many years studying them and taking them seriously as works of scholarship and art, it is hard for us to acknowledge this. We keep on hoping for some last minute reprieve, some renaissance; how could so much effort, so much inspired work, go for nought? How can it be that all of our labors will be forgotten? Yet it is so: whole artforms, whole genres grow and disappear. Where now is vaudeville? Radio drama? The air story? Perhaps board wargaming will survive in some form, greatly diminished from its glory days, as have poetry and the western; but that is all that can be hoped for.In one of those odd bits of synchronicity, I was reading the above earlier this morning just as it was being linked to in another forum. With Fall finally upon us, I suppose it's natural to think about senescence and death and, for those of us in the RPG hobby, especially those of us who picked up our first polyhedral dice in the late 70s, the shade of our hobby's "old brother" -- wargaming -- looms very large.
Costikyan's essay is a little out of date, since wargaming has in fact had something of a renaissance in recent years, though it's a fairly modest one, driven largely by hobbyists. The days of selling 50-200K copies of a hex-and-chit Civil War or World War II games are long gone and they ain't ever coming back. But, from what I gather (not being a wargamer myself), there are now more games available from more small companies than there have been in some time. That's a Good Thing™ for guys who love wargaming as a hobby.
I think this offers an instructive example for us in the old school renaissance. I won't go so far as to say that traditional roleplaying's future will be the same as that of wargaming. Nevertheless, I remain committed to the notion that our hobby's previous glory days -- in the sense of mass market popularity and success -- are gone, unlikely ever to return, except through some unexpected wave of nostalgia for the 80s. I'm perfectly fine with that and, much as I'd enjoy seeing traditional roleplaying take off in a big way again, I don't expect it. And I don't think there's some "magic bullet" RPG publishers could find to change the course of history.
As Costikyan writes, lots of entertainment forms rise, fall, and effectively disappear and roleplaying as it was constituted in its Golden Age may be one of them, but that has almost zero effect on my continued enjoyment of it, since, so long as there are others who share my particular idiosyncratic passions, I don't really lack for anything. I'm not a big corporation that needs to make tons of money off gaming nor am I a salaried employee of same whose livelihood depends on huge sales. Except for the fact that I'm older and thus have less free time overall, I'm enjoying gaming as much as I ever have.
I won't go so far as to proclaim that today is a new Golden Age by any means, but it's a pretty good one. There's lots of cool stuff happening on my side of the fence and it's enriched my OD&D gaming considerably. And even if there weren't, the best part about this hobby is that you really don't need anything beyond the rules (and even they are optional) and some people to play with. Beyond the people who sit around my table each week, I don't owe anyone else anything, least of all game companies. With the notable exception of Paizo, I don't think I've bought anything from a long-established game company in about two years and I don't see that changing anytime soon. It's a really liberating feeling, honestly. If every game company with more than 2 employees ceased to be tomorrow, I wouldn't be adversely affected one bit and that's how it should be.
In short, I'm very happy with my gaming these days and have been for some time. I don't care if what I do is appealing to a wide audience and neither should anyone else. The value of any hobby is the personal enjoyment one derives from it and I get a heck of a lot of it from gaming. End of story.


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I've been thinking again about what we'll do about health insurance if we decide to have another baby. It's complicated, because we purchased an individual plan since we're self-employed, and the
individual plans in the United States where I live don't have (yet) a lot of the safeguards group health insurance plans have (the kind you get through a "real" job). Health care reform's tantalizing protection against treating pregnancy as a pre-existing condition (with a nine-month waiting period, natch) won't go into effect for me until 2014, and we won't be waiting that long.
We chose our current health insurance plan by virtue of its being just about the cheapest our family of three could find. It has a big deductible ($6,000) and no maternity coverage, at all. So we pretty much just never use it, but it's there if we need it. Except, you know, if what we need it for is a pregnancy and birth.
So. Here are my options:
- Upgrade our health insurance ahead of time to a plan that includes maternity coverage.
- Pay out of pocket for all our prenatal, birth, and postpartum expenses.
Here's where I crunch actual numbers and hope that's not too crass. I know it's boring,
so you can skip ahead as you wish. I wanted to write it out for my own ruminating, but I decided to post it publicly in the hope it helps someone else going through the same calculations.
Our current plan (no maternity coverage) is $256/month for the three of us. It has a $6,000 family deductible, up to $300 a year (combined for all of us) in preventive care, and it's HSA eligible, so we can (theoretically) store money away pre-tax that can be used toward medical expenses. (I say "theoretically," because our most recent HSA money disappeared when it turned out the bank managers had been embezzling, but that's neither here nor there.)
PLAN A: If we upgraded with our current insurer, it would be $516/month for the cheapest plan that includes maternity. (At least they have a choice this time — last time I checked, they had had exactly one plan that offered maternity coverage. Now they have a whopping two.) That's a $9,000 family deductible at $3,000 per person, $30 copays for preventive care (including well-baby) visits, 30% coinsurance after deductible for all maternity care (prenatal, delivery, postpartum).
Definition break: If you don't shop for insurance a lot, a deductible is what you have to pay out of pocket before an insurance company will step in and pay out any benefits. Coinsurance is the percentage you have to pay of any expenses. So, if the coinsurance is 30% and the expense is 100, we pay $30 and the insurance company pays $70 — but only if our deductible has been met.
Website plug: I'm getting all these numbers at eHealthInsurance.
PLAN B: If we moved to a different health insurance provider, we could get cheaper maternity coverage that would be in the realm of catastrophic coverage without technically being considered that. There's a plan for $385/month that has a monstrous $22,500 family deductible! No, seriously. Ignoring that one, there's a plan for $424/month that has a $15,000 family deductible. The point of these type of plans would be that they're there if anything really, really expensive went down, like an emergency C-section and a NICU stay. Otherwise, I'd be paying everything out of pocket. Preventive care is covered at 20% coinsurance with the deductible waived. Prenatal care is $25 each for the first four visits, then subject to deductible and 20% coinsurance. Labor, delivery, and hospital stay are 20% coinsurance after deductible.
Care providers: The midwives we used with Mikko, if someone didn't have insurance, offered a flat cash rate of about $2,000 that covered prenatal care (hour-long office visits), labor and delivery, and postpartum care, including lactation consulting and at least two home visits. I know — nice, right? They're not currently practicing (I shed tears just thinking of this), so I don't know if whatever midwives we go with (and we will be using midwives again if all goes well) will have the same sort of deal or a more expensive one, and how much more expensive.
Our medical plans for the next pregnancy and birth: We would like to have prenatal care but nothing too fancy. Last time, we had the most highly recommended tests and skipped the rest (including ultrasounds). We would like a home birth. However, we wanted a home birth last time, and we ended up transferring to a hospital for a non-medicated vaginal birth. I still have no idea how much that cost, because we had a different health insurance plan then with $0 deductible that covered maternity (the only one then available that did). If all goes as planned and we can use a midwifery care flat-rate plan, our expenses could remain under $3,000, including lab tests.
But, we all know things do not always go as planned, and if things went really pear-shaped, we could be out of pocket for tens of thousands of dollars in a flash. We are unfortunately (?) no longer poor enough to qualify for much or perhaps anything in the way of financial aid from a hospital, though I'm sure we could work out a long-term payment plan. That wouldn't be much consolation, though, if they took all our retirement savings and then some. According to WSHA Hospital Pricing, the average price in Washington State for a delivery is somewhere in the range of $8,193 for uncomplicated vaginal birth to $20,224 for a complicated cesarean. That doesn't include charges for the physicians, surgeons, or anesthesiologists, or any emergency ambulance service. I'm not sure if it includes any medications used before or after birth, and I believe the newborn's hospital stay is a separate charge.
I have considered an unassisted pregnancy and birth — but more so before Mikko's birth. There were some complications (excessive postpartum bleeding, for the most part) that made me appreciate having qualified attendants. I'm not judgmental against those who choose unassisted births, but I'm in a headspace where I'd rather have midwives present.
So here's a little chart breaking down the price difference between our current insurance, Plan A, and Plan B:
COST | Monthly | Yearly | Difference |
Current Plan | $256 | $3,072 | — |
Plan A | $516 | $6,192 | $3,120 |
Plan B | $424 | $5,088 | $2,016 |
So, if we upgrade, we're talking at least $2,000 more a year in insurance premiums. Plus, neither plan covers all of our increased health costs. In Plan A, we'd be paying all our prenatal care out of pocket and hit the deductible only if we had unforeseen expenses relating to prenatal care, the birth, or postpartum care. However, if we did hit a complication, it wouldn't be long till we hit the deductible, and then things would be covered at 70%. In Plan B, only four prenatal visits would be covered at $25 apiece, and even a vaginal hospital delivery would be out of pocket, with a $15,000 deductible. Only if there were more severe complications would the benefits kick in.
So: Is $2,016 with Plan B a fair price to pay for peace of mind in the event of any catastrophic complications? Is paying $3,120 more a year for Plan A better to have less out-of-pocket worry in the case of even mild complications (like my previous, non-emergency hospital transfer for a natural vaginal birth), when with an uncomplicated pregnancy and home birth under midwifery care, we could get away with paying over $1,000 less without upgrading? Remember that we're paying the cost of prenatal, birth, and postpartum care mostly out of pocket in all three cases if it's an uncomplicated pregnancy and home birth, and we'll say that's $2,000 since that's what our old midwives charged.
Here's another chart to illustrate the options:
MATERNITY CARE | No maternity coverage | Plan A | Plan B |
Uncomplicated (annual cost) | $2,000 | $5,120 | $3,800 (taking off some for the first four prenatal visits being partially subsidized) |
Complicated additional expenses (annual cost) | 100% of costs (potentially $$$$$) | $3,000 deductible, then 30% of costs | $15,000, then 20% of costs |
It's a risk-benefits game, but the potential losers are my baby and my health.
A couple other factors to keep in mind:
- Every month I've upgraded to the higher price but don't get pregnant, I lose even more of the benefit of the higher-priced insurance. Ideally, I'd time it so my coverage kicks in the month before we conceive, but I can't guarantee anything like that. Note that this also doesn't allow for any spontaneity in our planning (no let's just go for it, honey! moments), as you can see from all the dull, dull, dull, deadly dull html tables.
- Both Plan A and Plan B do not have the HSA option for paying medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. For instance, that $2,000 under our current plan would actually be $2,000 minus our tax bracket, so let's say $1,700. This is assuming no embezzling of HSA funds happens, again. Beyond that, our HSA money gets us this discount* on anything medical, including things our insurance doesn't cover, such as vision and dental care as well as prescription and over-the-counter medication. I'm just not sure how to factor this into the charts since I'm not sure what the yearly average HSA benefit is to us. (*I say "discount," but it's actually a more complicated process of getting a tax deduction after the fact. I guardedly recommend HSA-eligible plans to self-employed families who are willing to manage their own healthcare spending — just try to choose an HSA manager who's not a crook. Ha.)
- Both Plan A and Plan B offer vision coverage, and our current scheme doesn't. However, an eye exam and some glasses every couple years is not worth so very much that I throw that into the consideration.
Philosophically speaking, assuming I've lost 90% of you with all these #%*$!@ numbers, why do I have to make decisions like this?
- Why is my baby's health and my health dependent on some number-crunchers who decided pregnancy was too much of a financial risk for them to bother making maternity coverage standard or easily obtained?
- Why is maternity care so expensive in this country, with the overzealous medicalization of prenatal care and childbirth?
- And how does even an uncomplicated hospital birth cost over $8,000?
- Does anyone think it's a teensy bit sexist not to cover a condition that half the people of childbearing age are subject to? (And you know which half I'm talking about.)
- Knowing that I am extremely privileged to be having this decision to make, how do unemployed or self-employed people without the financial resources to purchase individual health insurance and no access to group health insurance afford to give birth?
I don't understand it, and I don't appreciate making decisions about expanding my family based on finances.
But there it is.
And this is not meant to be a political post, but I will say that I've gotten very offended when family members have talked about health care reform disparagingly, as if it's affecting those people. Nuh-uh. It's affecting me, and my partner and their grandchild(ren), their loved ones. This is an untenable situation for us to be put in, and I'm so conflicted about what sort of risk I'm willing to take vs. how much of my hard-earned money I want to hand over to the insurance companies.
So what would you do? Plan A, Plan B, or brave it without maternity coverage at all? Have you ever or would you ever consider forgoing insurance coverage for pregnancy and childbirth?
I wrote this last night as I was cogitating, and today I called the health insurance company just to confirm that, yes, pregnancy is a pre-existing condition on my plan, and it is. She did inform me of a few more facts:
- For pre-existing conditions, they look back six months from the date of the new plan application for any medical diagnosis, care, or treatment.
- Therefore, the "pregnancy" starts when I first seek medical care. According to that, I theoretically could buy the upgraded insurance at 8 months pregnant as long as I sought no prenatal care before then and that would be the first record that I had the condition. I'm not saying this is my plan, just that it's kind of ludicrous. I'm not sure how much to trust that, though, since I don't have it in writing. My concern was more specific: If pregnancy is dated from last menstrual period and my plan went into effect before conception but after LMP, is it covered? According to the woman on the phone, it would be.
- If I get pregnant on my current plan and upgraded, she said prenatal care would be covered under the new plan immediately but not delivery. (Big whoop, I know, but at least it's something.)
- I could upgrade just myself to an individual plan with maternity and leave the boys where they are, which would be $354/month for our family total. I know — more numbers. That actually sounds much more doable to me, but I have to look into the tax implications of that, because I thought we had to have a family plan to deduct the cost from our business taxes. It would be a blow to lose that. More thinking and researching to do!


text:
NOTE: Ubuntu 8.10 already have all these updated drivers. Compiz is also supported (up to R500).
This is a quick guide on installing latest versions of open source radeon drivers for Ubuntu 8.04.
0 - Introduction and status
1 - Installing latest 2D ati and radeonhd drivers
2 - Installing latest drm modules
3 - Upgrading to latest libdrm and mesa packages
4 - Customize your "Device" section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf
5 - Reboot
6 - Test
7 - For more info:
8 - Suggestions welcomed
- if you have some problem after upgrading to 8.10, make sure to remove all packages installed from the PPAs while in Ubuntu 8.04 with dpkg (ignoring eventual dependencies) and, before rebooting, reinstall all these packages from 8.10 official repositories with apt-get;
- if compiz still isn't working, make sure you have compiz and compiz-gnome packages installed.
WARNING: the following guide is no longer actively supported. Please upgrade to Ubuntu 8.10 if you need updated radeon drivers.
This is a quick guide on installing latest versions of open source radeon drivers for Ubuntu 8.04.
0 - Introduction and status
- This guide uses prebuilt - by the Ubuntu community - packages for mesa, libdrm, xserver-xorg-video-radeonhd, xserver-xorg-video-ati, so that they can be easily replaced with original ones if you want to revert this.
- DRM modules are built and installed from sources using a script. Old ones are backupped with .orig extension.
- Keep in mind that this is experimental code. If you fear to break something don't try it. Anyway, it works well for many users. Ideally, you should first try these packages on the LiveCD, following HowTo test newest radeon/radeonhd/mesa from a live CD guide.
- Driver packages status:
- ati (radeon):
- all Radeon card should be supported
- fast 2D with Option "AccelMethod" "EXA" in xorg.conf (require DRM module)
- 3D support
- basic scalers (for full screen games in not native resolution) support
- textured video Xv support with bicubic filtering
- DynamicClocks (but not Powerplay) power saving support
- radeonhd:
- all Radeon card from Radeon X1xxx (R500) and later should be supported
- fast 2D with Option "AccelMethod" "ShadowFB" in xorg.conf (XAA and EXA are slower; DRM module not required)
- experimental, disabled by default 3D support
- configurable scalers (for full screen games in not native resolution) support
- Xv not yet supported
- power savings not yet supported
- ati (radeon):
- 3D packages status:
- all Radeon card <R600 (so, not Radeon HD 2XXX) should be supported.
- See RadeonProgram WikiPage for the status of many games with current code.
- AIGLX (and therefore Compiz) is not supported when using mesa 7.1 packages unless you also upgrade your xserver (for example using packages at PPA for xorg crack pushers: enable the repository and do a sudo apt-get dist-upgrade - WARNING: this is untested and may break your system, see also comment 20 and laters)
- Feature Matrix for Radeons Wiki Page
- Supported Program List for Radeons Wiki Page
1 - Installing latest 2D ati and radeonhd drivers
- Add
Code:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tormodvolden/ubuntu hardy main
- In a shell (one or both of the followings, depending on your desired driver):
Code:sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-radeon xserver-xorg-video-ati sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-radeonhd
- Disable
Code:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tormodvolden/ubuntu hardy main
2 - Installing latest drm modules
- Add
Code:deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/xorg-edgers/ubuntu hardy main
- In a shell:
Code:apt-get source libdrm2
- Disable
Code:deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/xorg-edgers/ubuntu hardy main
- Download easy-drm-modules-installer from here and put it in the same directory of the libdrm2 sources:
http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~xorg-ed...kg-tools/files - In a shell:
Code:chmod +x easy-drm-modules-installer ./easy-drm-modules-installer radeon
Code:/lib/modules/`uname -r`/kernel/drivers/char/drm
- Note that after every kernel upgrade and its reboot you should redo this step.
3 - Upgrading to latest libdrm and mesa packages
- Remember that after installing the following mesa 7.1 packages AIGLX (and therefore Compiz) will not work (obliviously this is not a problem on R500 where Compiz never worked before), unless you also upgrade your xserver. If you have already working 3D and Compiz or you have a RS480 or RS690 with 3D or Compiz broken try first the updated mesa 7.0 packages at PPA for Andrius Štikonas that should also work with AIGLX/Compiz.
- Add
Code:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/xorg-edgers/ubuntu hardy main
- In a shell:
Code:sudo apt-get install libdrm2 sudo apt-get install libgl1-mesa-dri libgl1-mesa-glx libglu1-mesa mesa-utils
- Disable
Code:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/xorg-edgers/ubuntu hardy main
4 - Customize your "Device" section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf
- ati (radeon) driver fully supports 3D and EXA acceleration:
Code:Section "Device" Identifier "Configured Video Device" Driver "ati" Option "AccelMethod" "EXA" EndSection
- if you want to use radeonhd driver (note that in radeonhd XAA and EXA are a lot slower than ShadowFB AccelMethod):
Code:Section "Device" Identifier "Configured Video Device" Driver "radeonhd" Option "AccelMethod" "ShadowFB" # Un-comment the following to enable experimental 3D support: #Option "DRI" EndSection
5 - Reboot
6 - Test
- You can test 2D performance with gtkperf (download and install the "Debian i386" packages if you are on x86)
- If you installed also 3D packages, to make sure you really are using 3D try running glxgears. This is what I get:
Code:glxgears 9787 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1957.329 FPS 9890 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1977.899 FPS
- Testing openarena:
Install it from Ubuntu repositories:
Code:sudo apt-get install openarena
Code:mkdir -p $HOME/.openarena/baseoa/demos cd $HOME/.openarena/baseoa/ wget http://people.freedesktop.org/~anholt/benchmarking/anholt.cfg cd demos/ wget http://people.freedesktop.org/~anholt/benchmarking/anholt.dm_68
Code:openarena +exec anholt 2>&1 | egrep -e '[0-9]+ frames'
Code:840 frames 13.6 seconds 61.9 fps 7.0/16.2/31.0/3.6 ms
7 - For more info:
- Ubuntu resources:
- tormod comment on "xorg crack pushers" and "Tormod Volden" repositories usage
- GtkPerf
- Developer's blog:
- TiRDC - The irregular Radeon Development Companion
- ATI R500: Mesa vs. Catalyst Benchmarking (2008-08-29)
8 - Suggestions welcomed
- If you have some useful suggestions post a reply in this thread!


text:
How can I compare Sony product specifications?
If you're interested in comparing Sony product specifications, this is the way to do it!
- Visit the Sony website
- Go to the Electronics tab and choose a product category
- Choose the products you want to compare, by clicking "Select to compare"
- Once you've selected more than 1 product, a "Compare now" button will appear
- When you click the "Compare now" button, you will get a side-by-side comparison view
- You can also select more than 2 products to compare. Enjoy!


text:
Hiroki Kuroda (11-15, 3.18) vs. Madison Bumgarner (10-12, 3.37).
That's right; the suddenly-.500 Dodgers are helping usher the Giants out of the postseason. The Giants, losers of three straight, are in a position to be swept by the Dodgers today. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have won four straight and are running away with the division with a 9.5-game lead. We're not playing for glory this season, boys, but we're playing for pride. Break out the brooms!


text:
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Quick Pickled Beets - Pink Saturday
From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...We spent most of the day at a local Scandinavian festival and when we returned found that a neighbor had left a bunch of freshly picked beets on the porch to share with us. We are not beet lovers, but do enjoy an occasional salad made with pickled beets. I have a simple recipe for an overnight pickle that works really well with small quantities of beets. While you can boil or bake them, the beets must be dressed with seasoned vinegar while they are still warm if you want the pickling flavors to permeate them. This recipe is one of those five ingredient wonders that really works. The best part of it is that you don't need any type of canning equipment to make this type of pickle. I plan to use the beets in a salad of bitter greens that I'll make tomorrow evening. I'll let you know how that turns out. In the meantime, here's the recipe for the quick beet pickle.
Quick Pickled Beets...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon mixed pickling spice
3 to 4 cups cooked beets, peeled and sliced
Boil together sugar, water, vinegar and pickling spice. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour over cooked, sliced beets. Bring to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Yield: 3 to 4 cups.
You might also enjoy these recipes:
Tomato and Beet Salad - Herbivoracious
Raw Beet and Fennel Salad - For the Love of Food
Gingered Beet Salad - Caviar and Cod Fish
Grated Raw Beet Salad - My Life Runs on Food
Golden Beet and Goat Cheese Salad - Island Vittles
Beet and Radish Salad - The Baking Barrister
This post is being linked to:
Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.
53 comments :
- My Little Space said...
How nice of them to share! Emm... I love pickled beets alot but haven't taken them for a very long time. Should try to make my own! Thanks and have a wonderful weekend with your family.
blessings, kristy - August 14, 2010 at 4:57 AM
- Alessandra said...
Ciao Mary, lovely recipe, how long do they last in the fridge? I suppose you can also bottle them? (pasteurizing the bottles, of course)
Have a great day
Alessandra - August 14, 2010 at 4:58 AM
- Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...
This look refreshing and good. Have a nice weekend with your family.
- August 14, 2010 at 5:01 AM
- J e l e n a said...
this is my recipe....people often forget that beets love sugar as do carrots and tomato....very healthy and it keeps in the fridge for month or until it's eaten
- August 14, 2010 at 5:03 AM
- Inspired by eRecipeCards said...
Good morning Mary... Well, tomorrow is Farmer's Market day and Jackie has asked for something Beets...
If I find them looking raw as good as yours, I will give this a try for her.
Timely (for me) post - August 14, 2010 at 5:32 AM
- Diane said...
I love beets, I often have them as a hot vegetable, sweet and sour. Diane
- August 14, 2010 at 5:39 AM
- Jeannie said...
I am not a fan of beet but they do make a great bread ingredient! Your pickles looks good though.
- August 14, 2010 at 6:11 AM
- eileeninmd said...
Happy PInk Saturday! I am not a big fan of beets either but I do have to say your photos make them look delicious.
- August 14, 2010 at 6:38 AM
- Angie's Recipes said...
I enjoy beetroots from time to time...this pickles looks very fresh and appetizing.
- August 14, 2010 at 7:15 AM
- Rita said...
Those beets look lovely; they are not ready yet in our little corner.
I love them with salt and a wee bit of butter.
Rita - August 14, 2010 at 7:33 AM
- Martha said...
I'll have to try this quick pickle -- I love a good pickled beet and those in the store are definitely lacking.
- August 14, 2010 at 7:44 AM
- Lynn said...
I LOVE beets and keep trying to grow them but don't have any luck! Nice of your neighbor to share-enjoy!
- August 14, 2010 at 7:46 AM
- From the Kitchen said...
Good morning Mary: Firstly, I am the one beet lover in our household and am happy to find a recipe that doesn't require canning. I'll be picking up beets this morning at the farmers' market.
Secondly, you are the winner of my giveaway. Congratulations! I posted my e-mail address so that you can send me your address.
Bonnie - August 14, 2010 at 7:50 AM
Good Saturday morning Mary!
I just love the color of those beets! This recipe somewhat reminds me of "Harvard Beets" I tasted while visiting Lancaster, PA last fall. They are very popular there... but served warm, in a kind of sweet and sour thickened sauce. Very tasty.
Have a great weekend... Karen - August 14, 2010 at 8:01 AM
- Julie said...
Happy Pink Saturday, Mary!
I am not a beet lover either. However, I have discovered roasting them in the oven with just olive oil, salt and pepper gives them a softer, much less intense flavor. Roasting is such a wonderful thing.
These are beautiful. Love the color.
Have a fun weekend with the boys! - August 14, 2010 at 8:12 AM
- 3 hungry tummies said...
THis will go so well with roast meat :)
- August 14, 2010 at 8:54 AM
- Patti said...
I love pickled beets. They will always always always remind me of my great-grandmother. She lived with my grandparents, and every summer picnic at their house, she would make her pickled beets. She added sliced hard-boiled eggs as well, and they were such a pretty pink because of the beet juice.
Have a lovely day,
Patti - August 14, 2010 at 9:16 AM
- Abramyan Avenue said...
How very sweet. My husband is Russian and introduced me to beets. I think I was always kinda scared of them at first! Lol! But one simple way we make them is just to boil, shred, add mayo, salt and garlic powder. Very very good. If you want to get adventurous... a wonderful, delicious, superb salad with beets is called shuba (fur coat). It's layered shredded onions, salotka (which I think is smoked herring), eggs (trust me it's good), carrots, beets and then mayo. When it's all finished and ready to serve it looks like this beautiful cake with purple icing. It's a huge success at every get-together.
- August 14, 2010 at 9:29 AM
- dana said...
My mom used to make the best pickled beets, too! I love them.
My DIL served a roasted beet humus at a party recently. I helped her make it. . . she combined roasted beets and garlic with great northern beans in a food processor. We added olive oil and lemon juice, too. It was yummy.....served with pita chips.
Hope you have a great PS!!! dana - August 14, 2010 at 9:52 AM
- nanny said...
I love pickled beets....
I have a recipe similiar to yours that you use canned beets to make.
Which reminds me...I haven't made any in a long time...thank you!!! - August 14, 2010 at 9:58 AM
- Pondside said...
We really like pickled beets at Pondside - in truth, we like beets any way they come!
- August 14, 2010 at 11:22 AM
- Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul said...
I can't remember the last time I had beets. This looks great.
Carmen - August 14, 2010 at 11:24 AM
- Katerina said...
I love beets. I make them with yogurt and garlic. I will try this recipe too.
- August 14, 2010 at 11:59 AM
- StephenC said...
I adore beets (even out of a can). Always perplexed at folks hating them. Pickling them is fun and tasty.
- August 14, 2010 at 12:21 PM
- Schnitzel and the Trout said...
I love, love beets! I forwarded this posting to my daughters who would also love these. Looking forward to your India postings? How soon are you going?
- August 14, 2010 at 12:25 PM
- Miss Meat and Potatoes said...
More pickling! I love it. And beets make gorgeous prizes to show off in a mason jar. Thanks for sharing!
- August 14, 2010 at 12:26 PM
- Susi's Kochen und Backen said...
I grew up with pickled beets (my Oma made them) and I always look for good recipes to make them myself. I will give this one a try :o)
- August 14, 2010 at 12:54 PM
- A Canadian Foodie said...
Love beets - any kind of beets - am really into cold beet soup and roasted beets lately - but, beets are not ready yet in our area... a couple more months and i can buy and can fresh and local. Thanks for the recipe. I have to dig mine out to compare... I haven't made them in years. I love love love them - but no one else does!!! I think you have motivated me to do at least a few!
Valerie - August 14, 2010 at 1:22 PM
- Ginny Hartzler said...
We do not like beets. Even so, the first picture is quite beautiful!! Congradulations on your win over at A Writer's Kitchen!! I was so very glad when I saw it was you who won, you are such a sweet lady. I know you will enjoy it all and certainly be putting it to use!
- August 14, 2010 at 2:47 PM
- Monet said...
I am not a big fan of beets either but what a sweet gift from your neighbor! I like to use beets to make a chocolate poundcake...so rich and deeply colored!
- August 14, 2010 at 2:53 PM
- Houdini said...
Beets are no problem for us, we eat them as salad only, though not too often. This year Helen even planted some, but they are not yet ready for picking. The next salad will be pickled as per your recipe.
- August 14, 2010 at 4:12 PM
- ♥ Kathy said...
That seems so easy! I bet they're delicious!
- August 14, 2010 at 5:07 PM
- From the Kitchen said...
Mary: My e-mail is: email@example.com.
Thought I had posted it and did not.
Bonnie - August 14, 2010 at 5:39 PM
- Ana Powell said...
I love their colour and taste.
Wishing you a great weekend ♥ - August 14, 2010 at 5:52 PM
- Jacqueline said...
My husband just loved pickled beets. He always puts them on at the salad bar. I haven't made my own, but these look great. Glad I hopped over on Pink Saturday.
- August 14, 2010 at 6:38 PM
- Receitas para a Felicidade said...
With beet also makes an optimal juice, a good antioxidant. kiss Mary have a nice weekend,
Mariana, Portugal. - August 14, 2010 at 6:53 PM
- Nisha said...
This sounds so refreshing . How long can i keep it in fridge.
- August 14, 2010 at 7:48 PM
- Julie M. said...
Ok, I can't say I'm a big fan of beets, but honestly Mary, if you're making them I know they'll be delicious! I'm looking forward to seeing your finished salad!
- August 14, 2010 at 7:52 PM
- Tara said...
Hi Mary! I can't say as I am a fan of beets either. My Mom loves them on salads too though! Happy Pink Saturday and have a beautiful weekend!
- August 14, 2010 at 8:26 PM
- Ciao Chow Linda said...
Well what nice neighbors. I am a big beet fan so I know I'd love this recipe.
- August 14, 2010 at 8:26 PM
- Claudia said...
You know - i don't eat beets - but I love your neighbors. I am going to try this as my husband and son love those staining-fingers vegetables and (sometimes) I aim to please.
- August 14, 2010 at 9:27 PM
- scrambledhenfruit said...
I do love beets, and when I make them I don't even have to share! Thanks for this quick easy recipe.
- August 14, 2010 at 9:51 PM
- pam said...
I love beets! Quick pickled beets sounds perfect!
- August 14, 2010 at 10:05 PM
- Suman Singh said...
Let me admit I am not a big fan of this veggie but this pickle looks very tempting..I hope you having a nice weekend..tk care..
- August 14, 2010 at 11:42 PM
- SKIP TO MALOU said...
what lovely neighbors you have Mary. Must be great living in your neighborhood. I haven't had any pickled beets yet... but have you tried beets on potato salad?
- August 14, 2010 at 11:54 PM
- Cristie said...
Oh, I love beets, but most of my family is more like you and only wishes to have them if they are pickled. Thanks for a quick way to pickle them. I so loved your pickles, I'm certain that your beets will be wonderful as well.
- August 15, 2010 at 12:01 AM
- GLENDA CHILDERS said...
Beets are my FAVORITE vegetable.
Congrats ! I saw that you won a giveaway. How fun.
Glenda - August 15, 2010 at 1:03 AM
- The Cilantropist said...
I love picked beets! what a great way to have them FAST when I have a craving. ;)
- August 15, 2010 at 11:06 AM
- Glennis said...
I love beets but I don't often make pickled beets. Which is strange, because I really love them when I have them, like at Phillippes's the Original.
Mary, here's a question - what ARE pickling spices? I have another recipe I love that calls for "Pickling spices" and I'm not really sure what that means. Why don't they just itemize the spices by name? - August 15, 2010 at 6:25 PM
- Valérie said...
I just realized I've never eaten a beet that wasn't pickled... Which makes me a bit sad, because I like to try different foods. Anyways, thank you for sharing this recipe, I have a feeling it will come in handy!
- August 15, 2010 at 8:36 PM
- Faith said...
I absolutely love the gorgeous color and natural sweetness of beets. I bet they make perfect pickles!
- August 15, 2010 at 9:25 PM
- Anusce@Ciao-Chow said...
I love beets no matter how they are made! You should try them mixed with yogurt. I know it is weird but oh so delish! The yogurt turns pink.
It is a typical Persian combination! - August 15, 2010 at 9:50 PM
- Beverly said...
Happy very belated Pink Saturday, Mary.
This is a definite for me. My family loves, loves, loves pickled beets. - August 20, 2010 at 12:53 PM