text:
Football Basketball Recruiting
Jon's new article
Thread starter HaydenHawk56
earlkoppelman
revkev73 said:
Iowa is not good in BB or FB...
Wisconsin is good in BB and FB...
There is no urgency to win at Iowa...
There is an urgency to win at Wisconsin...
Iowa's program is making money...
Wisconsin's program is making money...
AD leadership the difference? Great expectations vs Low expectations...
Fat cat mentality?
PCHawk
I'm a 49er fan. Does it make me a defeatist that I don't go on their message boards and demand more?
revkev73
Tell your lawyer to shut up...
Vegas beats Tampa Bay...4-1 on the road...#1 vs #2 team in the NHL...success!!!
I have a Punt/Pass/Kick trophy from when I was 13 years old...Elway has one...that is success!!!!
Plus, I won my town's open bowling tournament when I was 17...I quit after that...success!!!!
Plus I watched my NFL team from 6th grade, the Rams, win the superbowl while I was in a bar on Waikiki beach...won $100 too...success!!!!
Plus, I won $1,200 dollars when the Packers won their most recent superbowl...success!!!
I tire of it...
NikeHawk21
PCHawk said:
They've been fairly close. Wisconsin hasn't had the success of Nebraska in the 80s and 90s. According to some on here, Wisconsin must have a defeatist attitude.
I'm sure Iowa does strive for Wisconsin's success. But Wisconsin having Wisconsin's success has defied the odds. What are the odds that two programs from the Big 10 west can defy huge odds at the same exact time in history? It's not impossible. It's just highly unlikely. It doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for it. We just shouldn't fire coach after coach to try to beat those odds. And by "we" I mean the university of Iowa. Cause I ain't doin shit.
While you make some fair points, I still strongly disagree that the Iowa athletic department strives for the type of success that Wisconsin does. It's pretty easy to see why.
When Wisconsin went to three strait Rose bowls under Bielama many fans were questioning him and his ability to win the big game. The athletic department wasn't doling out new contract incentives and making him one of the highest paid coaches in the country. Meanwhile Iowa makes one rose bowl and gets pulverized and Kirk Ferentz gets the keys to the city. See the difference? You know it's bad when people in the national media were absolutely shredding KF's contract. Same thing with Chryst now, he's winning 10+ games a year, just won a BCS bowl, think he'll ever get paid more than Kirk? It's pretty easy to see the picture that paints, we are lowly old Iowa and we can't do better than Kirk. It doesn't put any pressure on Kirk to perform.
Basketball is a slightly different animal but you can bet if we have the same athletic department and we consider ourselves a football school, than the pressure to succeed just isn't what it should be.
As far as what you can do, I agree there isn't much. The only way the athletic department would ever change is if people stopped showing up for games. The problem, as I've mentioned a few times in this thread, is that there isn't many alternative entertainment options in Iowa. People have kids and they want to take them out to Kinnick on a Saturday, and they will do that regardless of if we are a 7 win team or a 10 win team. Season ticket holders and other fans use it as something to look forward to during the weeks in the fall. Iowa games are fun, so I can't knock anyone for that. We have a passionate fanbase. Barta knows this and the money keeps pouring in. Quite frankly nothing will change until we get an AD that really wants to go to that next level, our current one couldn't care less.
Reactions: PCHawk
Hawkfnntn
NikeHawk21 said:
What Wisky does is their business as far as I'm concerned. It's working for them that's for sure. But it's up to them to keep up with the Jones's if they want to. If not then that's their conscious decision. It's not up to Iowa to slow down or anyone else to let others catch up just based on what the 'pecking order' should be in others eyes. Do you feel it's wrong for Iowa to be paying Doyle what they are too? I'm a capitalist. I don't begrudge anyone for getting what they can get. The amount of years on KFs deal and guaranteed $/buyout are what give him security more so than just his high salary. The national media is a joke and I couldn't care less of their 2 cents. It's not up to them to set the market on what someone is worth or not. The less schools and ADs listen to them the better. So yeah you can either support the team in whatever way you like or not free country.
kicker22
If you give a coach 3 years then move on, give another coach 3 years then move on ,then give another coach 3 years then move on, you will be considered a coaching graveyard. You have a small chance of finding a great coach that takes you temporarily to the next level. If you do, that's awesome and we're all happy it worked out. But there is a far greater chance you will end up with another average coach (which isn't good enough) or a bad coach. Then you fire and move on. Just my guess but I would say there is about a 10% chance you would find your guy (about half of the time he leaves anyway) and about a 90% chance you end up labeled a coaching graveyard.
Point taken, but if you hold on to mediocre and embrace average what's the upside. I totally get the labeling of a coaching graveyard mentality, but what would be worse, taking chances until the right guy comes along or keeping a coach in place while the program is tanking.
As many have said bringing in the right coach isn't simply luck. The question is do we have an administration and athletic director in place capable of finding "the right fit". Unfortunately, I think we both agree on the answer to that.
JonDMiller said:
I dont think it's so much that they are not good enough to carry a team that lacks experience. I think the lack of a few additional guards and wings with breakdown ball skills and quickness are killing this team...because you just need to overplay JoBo, or any of the guards for that matter, which makes entry passes come from farther away and awkward angles. Shonn Morris nailed that last night, and it's a key, key thing. Iowa's lack of guards that scare anyone hinders their ability to space the floor correctly and run a competent half court offense.
I think you're absolutely right about this, however my concern is I don't see Fran recruiting players that fit this mold of player we need. I think this a major hole in our current recruiting and I don't see it being addressed next year either so I'm not sure how we improve enough next year to turn the corner.
Reactions: Robowe
I guess I was kinda stuck in the mindset of all you can do is fire an average coach. I guess there are certain ways to demand more success out of your coach. I've just always assumed if you're a D1 level coach, pride is all the motivation you need. That's probably not true tho.
I seriously would like to know how Wisconsin has done it tho. Two of their coaches left and tanked at other schools. How the hell does that work?
Reactions: NikeHawk21
kicker22 said:
I think most programs hold onto average for more than a few years. (Average is a big window too) We held onto Davis for a long time after he showed he was who he was with his own guys. We waited for the right guy to come along, so we thought, and pulled the trigger. Now that's how you do it in my opinion. This season should definitely get Barta looking for that next guy. If he finds one, great. If he doesn't, I don't think Fran will tank the program so it's safe to wait until next year, or however long it takes to find the right guy. Especially if you have the mindset that he's gone even if he makes a sweet 16 run his last year. People are pretty pissed still that Davis got canned after making the sweet 16. But if you find the next big thing, you can't let one good season hold you back.
I think the main thing is that you have to have someone in mind prior to termination. IF it's felt that guy is out there then you make the switch. I just wish the next AD was out there.
Hawkfnntn said:
I also don't begrudge anyone else's salary because I don't care about other people's money.
We are talking about how the UW athletic department is running circles around Iowa. Since KF started as a football coach he is averaging roughly 7.5 wins a year, while UW is averaging nearly 9.5 wins a year, through the span of four coaches. Kirk has been paid at a level top 15 level nationally for that last several years, while none of UW's coaches have. Are Kirk's 7.5 wins per year at Iowa really worth more than a different coaches 9.5 wins a year at UW? If that is truly the case then we really are lowly old Iowa and shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as mighty UW. I personally don't think that's the case, I don't think either school is all that much different, again other than an athletic department that wants it more.
There is one advantage of the amount of money, and the loyalty the Hawks have for Kirk. A coach would be a fool to not come here. It should make finding the right coach that much easier when it's time. Of course, none of that matters if we just hire from within.
Reactions: Fryowa
See your looking at it differently. I look at it as that's on Wisconsin their coaches & agents who negotiate and agree to it to try and keep up with the Jones's. Iowa isn't bankrupting themselves by paying what they are to Iowa's staff top to bottom. Not even remotely. Wisconsin getting more bang for their buck is great for the school. Doesn't make what Iowa's doing bad or wrong. If everyone agrees to what they are getting and nobody is hurting financially then what's the beef?
Iowa agreeing to pay a top flight competitive salary makes us a more desirable place to be. For KF and future coaches to want to coach at Iowa that's a huge part of it. If KF was being offered considerably less $ all these years he'd have probably been more apt to leave. Along with making it tougher to replace him if your not showing your willing to pay. Again if Iowa's budget was being stretched and it looked like they were in some kind of dire straits financially due to paying high salaries I'd lean the other way some. But their all living high on the hog over there.
Fryowa
I think it's a matter of when, not if we hire from within. Which makes me want to puke.
I would like to believe that if Iowa replaces Barta it would be an opportunity to make sure an outsider is brought in as head coach, but I also believe that Kirk is one who will make that decision no matter who the AD is...and that decision will be Brian Ferentz. Kirk is firmly entrenched with the major donor base and the administration loves him. He is his own boss in about every sense of the word.
BryceC
Joshbrown said:
You could be right. That would mean the recruiting services were off, which is possible. But it would also mean Fran has a bad eye for talent. And that would be another argument for finding a coach with a good eye for talent.
How were the recruiting services off? Right now I'd say most of the players on the roster have met or exceeded their recruiting rankings.
To me it's about the message you are sending. You're saying we need to pay KF because we can't afford to lose his 7.5 wins a year.
Again this is a discussion about bringing Iowa's athletic success to higher levels. It's not about money. Iowa's athletic department is in great shape financially and will continue that way regardless of if we win 7 games a year or 10 games a year.
We have a top 20 athletic department in terms of revenue. This is about harnessing that and taking our programs to the next level. Wisconsin has been able to do it with far more success than Iowa. The question is how do we get there? I think every Iowa fan would like to take that step to the next level.
I see where your going. But I don't think paying our coaches less is the answer to that equation either. Since we both agree the money is there. Would you rather the school/athletic department hoard it or pay a competitive salary to their coaches? It's not like KF is at the top now either. Saban and Meyer are on a different planet with what they are making and rightfully so.
I guess the next question I have is what should Iowa pay for a new coach. Take BF out of the picture say he's not even in it. To get an outside coach to come in where does Iowa want to start a new one at? Same as where KF is now? A little less? A lot less? Dare I say more? When KF steps down it'll be interesting to say the least how it plays out
mopkins
BryceC said:
You're not wrong. Believe it or not, right now Tyler Cook is on the same trajectory stat-wise as Aaron White. Obviously they're different players but their stats from their Freshman/Sophomore years are very similar. The difference is that when White was a Freshman, Gatens was a senior. When White was a Sophomore, Marble was a Junior. There were upperclassmen able to protect the youth. This year there is none of that.
Cook's numbers this year are all up from last year. Points, rebounds, shooting %, free throw %. He's also added a decent outside shot.
The team this year is just way too young and being led by Sophomores who aren't ready for it yet. Every year Fran has had a senior leader to carry the load (Gatens, Marble, White, Uthoff, Jok), and this year he doesn't even have a Junior leader. Not to trash Baer, but he's a solid role player, not a "take charge" leader.
Scott Frost is getting $5M a year for 7 years. Its all guaranteed.
That all depends on who we hire. If we hire an up and comer we will pay him less and if he succeeds we will increase him. Let's reward sustained success. Whatever we do let's not get to a point where we reward mediocrity, which is what many of us feel has been done with KF.
You're really hung up on money, but that's not the only thing. It was the unecassary extensions. Make KF coach with a fire in his belly. When the fire started getting hottest around here was right around the time KF put together a 12-0 run. Funny how that goes.
And again, none of this explains why UW is running circles around Iowa in athletics. You're just basically saying we have enough money to pay our coach which is true. But how can we get to that level that UW has sustained for the last 15 years? That's the question... and it remains unanswered.
Reactions: Joshbrown
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Sigh. I don't like to repeat myself, but I'm afraid that's just what is about to happen folks.
Friday I was thrilled to meet my friends and go for a walk. It was a glorious Spring day (as you can see from the photo I took Saturday morning!).
By Friday night I told my husband, my throat is really dry and I've been drinking more water than anyone should really consider.
Saturday morning it was hot-real hot. So Lucky and I went for a our walk at 8:15. By the time we returned 45 minutes later I could barely swallow from how dry I felt.
Adam told me that poor Sam had finally succumbed to what is being called "the crud". I really wished I could go and help her out but apologized because I didn't want to risk getting a third round of this horrible thing. After all, we're about to embark on a wonderful 35th anniversary trip and I wanted to remain healthy.
All Saturday I took little peeks at my throat-little familiar white dots were starting to grow into big white dots. GRRRR!
By Sunday morning all I wanted to do was stop the lumpy feeling, the dryness and the dread of round 3. Still, I didn't want to infect myself more by going to the walk-in clinic.
I held out until Monday morning. I was now running a fever, eyes watering and throat aching.
The clinic opened at 8, but the lab opened at 7:30. I got there at 7:15 and waited patiently by the door. Two other "3rd rounders" joined me. It was nice to have company in my misery.
My favorite nurse and walk-in doctor looked at me sideways. Although I was at least more "alive" than my visit 2-1/2 weeks ago, I still wasn't doing well.
Left there with another prescription and orders to force fluids and rest. Oh and "Happy Anniversary".
The doctor did say that this is the worst infectious season he's seen here in the past 5 years. I believe it. I honestly don't remember being this sick, this many times since the kids were little. Not even during my "day care providing" years.
Since my blood work was so precarious a couple of weeks ago and my rheumatologist freaked out and told me to NOT take my RA meds as I was "too sick". That was before round 3 was official. I called her back with the "good news". Her call? No RA meds until I come back from our trip. Oh and here's a good one: Talk to my GP and ask her to have me take the test for a local delight called "Valley Fever".
Well, it's miserable and takes a lot of anti-fungals to get rid of it but on the other hand, it's not contagious. Just very serious for people like myself who have auto-immune disorders. Hoping that I can get an answer on this before we take off for blue skies and warm waters.
And now, it's time for another hot, decaf drink. Salud!


The Eclipse Plug-in for RealView ICE enables software developers to use the Eclipse IDE as a project manager to create, build, debug, and manage C, C++ and assembly language projects for ARM targets. The Eclipse Plug-in provides ARM project types to simplify the creation of ARM projects, and provides configuration panels for specifying options for the ARM compiler, assembler, linker, debugger, and other tools.
The ARM tools mentioned are distributed separately with RealView Development Suite.
GDB does not directly support USB.


text:
package eu.appbucket.rothar.core.networking.task;

import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.Map;

import org.json.JSONObject;

import android.app.Activity;
import android.app.ProgressDialog;
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.os.AsyncTask;
import android.widget.Toast;
import eu.appbucket.beaconmonitor.ui.MainActivity;
import eu.appbucket.rothar.ui.NetworkProblemRetryDialogFragment;
import eu.appbucket.rothar.web.domain.asset.AssetData;

public class CreateNewBicycleTask extends AsyncTask<String, Void, AssetData> {

	private Context applicationContext;
	private Exception exception = null;
	private ProgressDialog dialog;
	private Activity activity;
	private AssetData assetToBeSaved;

	public CreateNewBicycleTask(Context applicationContext, Activity activity, AssetData assetToBeSaved) {
		this.applicationContext = applicationContext;
        this.dialog = new ProgressDialog(activity);
        this.activity = activity;
        this.assetToBeSaved = assetToBeSaved;
	}

	@Override
	protected void onPreExecute() {
		dialog.setTitle("One second...");
		dialog.setMessage("Registering bicycle...");
		dialog.show();
	}

	@Override
	protected AssetData doInBackground(String... urls) {
		try {
			return createNewAsset(urls[0]);
		} catch (Exception e) {
			exception = e;
			return new AssetData();
		}
	}

	private AssetData createNewAsset(String assetRegistrationUrl) {
		assetToBeSaved.getUserId();
		Map<String, String> payload = new HashMap<String, String>();
		payload.put("uuid", assetToBeSaved.getUuid());
		payload.put("minor", "1");
		payload.put("major", "1");
		payload.put("description", assetToBeSaved.getDescription());
		AssetData newAsset = new AssetData();
		try {
			JSONObject assetDataInJson = new TaskCommons().postToUrl(assetRegistrationUrl, payload);
			newAsset.setAssetId(assetDataInJson.getInt("assetId"));
		} catch (Exception e) {
			exception = e;
		}
		return newAsset;
	}

	@Override
	protected void onPostExecute(AssetData newAsset) {
		if (dialog.isShowing()) {
            dialog.dismiss();
        }
		if(exception == null) {
			Toast.makeText(
					applicationContext,
					"New bicycle registered: " + newAsset.getAssetId(),
					Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
			 callBicycleList();
		} else {
			NetworkProblemRetryDialogFragment networkProblemRetryDialog =
					new NetworkProblemRetryDialogFragment("Retry to Register new bicycle ?");
			networkProblemRetryDialog.show(activity.getFragmentManager(), "networkProblemRetryDialog");
		}
	}

	private void callBicycleList() {
    	Intent intent = new Intent(applicationContext, MainActivity.class);
    	intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
    	applicationContext.startActivity(intent);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Almost seven years after winning Season 10 of American Idol, Scotty McCreery has scored his first No. 1 single as "Five More Minutes" ascended to the top of both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts.
Scotty co-penned the deeply personal tune with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell two weeks after the death of his grandfather in 2015.
"Five More Minutes" is the lead single from Scotty's upcoming third album, Seasons Change, which will drop on March 16. The 11-song offering will be Scotty's first album since 2013's See You Tonight.


Ren and Stimpy Quest for the Shaven Yak prices (Sega Game Gear) are updated daily for each source listed above. The prices shown are the lowest prices available for Ren and Stimpy Quest for the Shaven Yak the last time we updated.
Chart shows the price of Ren and Stimpy Quest for the Shaven Yak at the end of each month going back as long as we have tracked the item.


This exclusive look into the life of celebrity mother, Andria Mayberry gives the world a glimpse into raising one of Hollywood's hottest up and coming stars. Going back to her days as a young, single mother, Andria takes us on a journey through the dangerous streets of Philadelphia raising Bryshere "Yazz The Greatest" Gray and her daughter, Brianna. What could have easily been just another statistical story turns into a moment of triumph. This single parent discusses raising a child with ADHD, having to escape an abusive relationship and dealing with the ups and downs of raising a fatherless son in a cold world. Today, Bryshere is a star on Fox's number one drama series, Empire. His mother still maintains her full-time job in the medical field, giving the patients the same love and care she has given her children. As a driven parent, she opens up about her dark nights of pain, depression and anxiety. Andria shares how she dealt with giving her daughter the attention she deserved, while focusing on her son's ADHD and career. With insight into the world of being a celebrity mother, this book is sure to encourage others raising a child with a disorder. Written with bestselling author Mya Kay of The Clover Chronicles, Before Empire: Raising Bryshere "Yazz The Greatest" Gray is an inspirational true story of a single mother not allowing anything to deter her from pulling the inner star out of her child.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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"Don't let them put you in the condos or you will walk forever. Staff less than knowledgable or friendly. I feel like cattle being herded through. I'll never come back."
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text:
Q: Offsetting my parallax issue I'm really struggling with the maths behind my multilayer parallax. If I have the parallax effect at the top of the page then it works fine, however, due it potentially being anywhere on my page I need to offset the parallax and adjust the height so you don't see the background.
However, I need to work out how much I need to adjust the size of the layers, based on the depth the layer has and where it's positioned on the page. This parallax panel could be anywhere on the page, however.
Here is my code and a working example:

/**
 * @author Martyn Lee Ball
 * @desc Creates multi-layer Parallax effect
 * @version 1.0
 * @return {Array} Returns instances of classes as Array
 */
;class Parallax {

    constructor(node) {
        const self = this;

        // Settings and defaults
        self.settings = {
            container: node,
            height: node.clientHeight,
            name: node.dataset.parallax,
            layers: [],
            defaultDepth: 0.5,
            offset: function(element) {
                let top = 0, left = 0;
                do {
                    top += element.offsetTop  || 0;
                    left += element.offsetLeft || 0;
                    element = element.offsetParent;
                } while(element);

                return {
                    top: top,
                    left: left
                };
            }.call(self, node)
        }
        ;

        // Populate layers setting with objects
        (function() {
            let layers = (self.settings.container).querySelectorAll('[data-layer]');
            let count = 0;
            for (const layer in layers) {
                if (layers.hasOwnProperty(layer)) {
                    self.settings.layers.push({
                        // Get the depth, set to default depth if not set
                        depth: (function() {
                            if (layers[layer].dataset.depth !== undefined)
                                return parseFloat(layers[layer].dataset.depth);
                            return self.settings.defaultDepth;
                        }.call(self)),
                        element: layers[layer],
                        name: layers[layer].dataset.layer,
                    });

                    let height = function(layer) {
                        const self = this;
                        let height = self.settings.height;
                        return (height + (height - (height * layer.depth)));
                    }.call(self, self.settings.layers[count]);

                    layers[layer].style.height = height + "px";

                }
                count++;
            }
        }.call(this));

        this.setupScrollEvent.call(this);
    }

    setupScrollEvent() {
        const self = this;

        window.addEventListener('scroll', function(e) {
            self.last_known_scroll_position = window.scrollY || document.documentElement.scrollTop;
            if (!self.ticking) {
                window.requestAnimationFrame(function() {
                    self.scrolledEvent.call(self, self.last_known_scroll_position);
                    self.ticking = false;
                });
                self.ticking = true;
            }
        });
        self.last_known_scroll_position = window.scrollY || document.documentElement.scrollTop;
        self.scrolledEvent.call(self, self.last_known_scroll_position);
    }

    scrolledEvent(scrollY) {
        const self = this;

        // TODO: Check panel is in view

        for (const layer in self.settings.layers) {
            if ((self.settings.layers).hasOwnProperty(layer)) {

                let movement = -((scrollY * self.settings.layers[layer].depth) - scrollY);
                let translate3d = 'translate3d(0, ' + movement + 'px, 0)';

                self.settings.layers[layer].element.style['-webkit-transform'] = translate3d;
                self.settings.layers[layer].element.style['-moz-transform'] = translate3d;
                self.settings.layers[layer].element.style['-ms-transform'] = translate3d;
                self.settings.layers[layer].element.style['-o-transform'] = translate3d;
                self.settings.layers[layer].element.style.transform = translate3d;
            }
        }
    }

    static initialize() {

        this.instances = [];

        // Ensure DOM has loaded
        window.addEventListener('load', function() {
            // Does page contain any parallax panels?
            let panels = document.querySelectorAll('[data-parallax]');
            if (panels.length > 0) {

                // Parallax panels found, create instances of class and return them for reference
                for (const panel in panels) {
                    if (panels.hasOwnProperty(panel)) {
                        this.instances.push(new this(panels[panel]));
                    }
                }
            }
        }.bind(this));

        return this.instances;
    }
}

window.plugins = { "parallax-instances": Parallax.initialize() };
html,
body {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
}
.layer {
  height: 800px;
}
section[data-parallax] {
  height: 500px;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  border: 1px solid black;
  border-width: 1px 0 1px 0;
}
section[data-parallax] > div {
  position: absolute;
  z-index: -1;
  background-position: bottom center;
  background-size: auto;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
}
section[data-parallax] > div[data-layer='layer-bg'] {
  background-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/F7pqpWZ.jpg');
}
section[data-parallax] > div[data-layer='layer-1'] {
  background-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/uxpVhe1.png');
  background-position: left bottom;
}
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  background-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/JeGChIm.png');
}
section[data-parallax] > div[data-layer='layer-3'] {
  background-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/V7l8cxD.png');
  background-position: right bottom;
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section[data-parallax] > div[data-layer='layer-4'] {
  background-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/joB5tI4.png');
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section[data-parallax] > div[data-layer='layer-overlay'] {
  background-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/h1ybMNZ.png');
}
<!DOCTYPE html>

        <meta charset="UTF-8">
        <title>Parallax Development</title>

        <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Beverage Cartons are type of packaging for food and beverage products you can purchase at the store. They are easy to recognize and are available in two types - shelf-stable and refrigerated.
You will find these products on the shelves in grocery stores.
You will find these products in the chilled sections of grocery stores.
What are beverage cartons made from?
Beverage Cartons are mainly made from paper in the form of paperboard, as well as thin layers of polyethylene (plastic) and/ or aluminum. Shelf-stable beverage cartons contain on average 75% paper, 20% plastic and 5% aluminum. Refrigerated beverage cartons contain about 80% paper and 20% polyethylene.
Yes! All Tetra Pak carton packages, together with its openings and closures such as straws and caps, are fully recyclable!
Where can I recycle beverage cartons?
Use our Carton Finder for your nearest collection center of used beverage cartons.
How do I recycle beverage cartons?
The entire Tetra Pak carton package, including the straws or caps are recyclable. Simply push the straw back in or keep the cap on the carton package after drinking, then Flip-Flap-Flat the carton before sending it for recycling. This helps reduce the amount of space the empty carton takes up and makes transportation more efficient.
Wait, you just said beverage cartons are made mainly from paper. Shouldn't I put them with other paper recyclables?
Good question. The answer is NO. This is because if you put them with other paper recyclables and your collection centre does not offer sorting facilities, your beverage cartons will be added to the 'Mixed Paper' recycling stream instead of the 'Beverage Cartons' recycling stream.
Once it is part of the 'Mixed Paper' stream, the chance of it being sorted out and sent to a dedicated beverage carton recycling facility is minimal to none. Mixed Paper will be sold to paper mills, which extracts only the paper in the beverage cartons for their paper recycling activities. The plastic and aluminium in the beverage cartons will then be thrown away.
This is why we need to segregate beverage cartons at the source and ensure we drop it off at collection centers that accept them as recyclables (refer to Carton Finder for locations.) The assigned collectors will then pick it up to be sent to our dedicated beverage carton recycling partner in Klang for 100% recycling of beverage cartons.
Do I need to remove the cap or straw when recycling my beverage cartons?
Do I need to rinse my beverage cartons?
If you're at home or office, you should rinse your beverage cartons before placing it in your recycling bin. However, if you are on the go, as long as the beverage carton is empty, it is okay to place in your recycling bin. It is always advised to rinse beverage cartons to ensure the beverage carton is empty and to alleviate any potential odour and pest problems that may arise from storing your recyclables for collection.
What happens to beverage cartons after they are collected?
After beverage cartons are picked up from collection centres, they are taken to a dedicated beverage carton recycling facility owned and operated by KPT Recycle S/B. This is where beverage cartons are mixed with water in a gigantic blender (i.e. hydrapulper processing) to separate the paper fibre from the plastic and aluminium. The paper fibre is sent to a paper making facility, whereas the Poly Al is sent to a hot press facility. At the Poly Al hot press facility, the Poly Al mix is processed into flat panel boards. Grooves are inserted while the boards cool down (post-hot press) to create roofing tiles.
Do recycled beverage cartons become new products?
Yes! The recycled beverage carton paper fibre and Poly Al mix are a valuable resource for making new products. What recycled beverage cartons become depends on the country and available recycling technology. Some recycling facilities recycle beverage cartons into tissues, office paper, egg beverage cartons and even wall boards manufacturing. In Malaysia, beverage cartons are recycled into cardboard lining and Poly Al panel boards/ roofing tiles. By recycling, your beverage cartons are put back into business as the items you use every day!
Is there a waxy coating on beverage cartons? Isn't that why they are difficult to recycle?
What you may see as wax on a beverage carton is actually a thin layer of polyethylene (plastic). Beverage Cartons are not difficult to recycle as long as the right systems are in place to do so.
What happens to the aluminum and plastic left over after the beverage carton recycling process in a paper mill?
The aluminium/plastic combination (Poly Al) left over from the shelf-stable beverage cartons and the plastic left over from the refrigerated beverage cartons can be used in different ways, again depending on the country and available recycling technology. Some recycling facilities use the material to generate energy; others sell it to plastic manufacturers that use them for lumber board-like materials. In Malaysia, it is made into Poly Al panel boards and roofing tiles used in the construction and agricultural industries.
Tetra Pak continues to work with recycling partners to find better solutions for Poly Al recycling to match recycled end products with the demands/ needs in the country.
Why should I recycle beverage cartons?
Made mostly from paper, beverage cartons are a natural choice for recycling. Plus, they're in great demand from companies that produce recycled paper products. The Poly Al technology in Malaysia also enables us to recycle the PolyAl component into new useful products such as roofing sheets and panel boards.
We believe that post-consumer recycling is an investment in our future. When recycled beverage cartons are given a new life, we protect natural resources, reduce climate impact and contribute to communities.
Tetra Pak is a world leader in packaging and processing solutions of food and beverage. Recycling is not our business, but it's our business to make recycling work. We are committed to promoting and encouraging effective, widespread recycling programmes for used beverage cartons in Malaysia and across the globe. Tetra Pak acts as catalyst in the recycling value chain. We do not own or operate collection infrastructure and recycling plants, but cooperate with all key stakeholders including recyclers, waste management companies, public institutions and others. For more information on our efforts in beverage carton recycling, visit www.tetrapak.com.my.
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text:
Tag: Superman
You Can't Spell 'Economics' without 'Comics' — "Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World" Reviewed
Generally speaking, economics books are not meant to make for pleasant reading. Advertisements
Read More You Can't Spell 'Economics' without 'Comics' — "Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World" Reviewed
The Brilliance of Zack Snyder's DC Universe
What if Superman existed in our current reality? How would the world react to a literal illegal alien — the ultimate immigrant — with godlike abilities? And how would he, in turn, react to the world?
Read More The Brilliance of Zack Snyder's DC Universe
The Main Problem with the DCEU: Universes Aren't Built in a Day
Another week, another avalanche of WTF rumors regarding Warner Bros. and the DC Extended Universe.
Read More The Main Problem with the DCEU: Universes Aren't Built in a Day
It's been a Batman week for me. For my birthday, my wife (and kid) decorated the dining room in a Batman theme and gave me a Batman cake like I was turning 12 and not 36. I also wrote a long piece on how Tim Burton's Batman films are better in memory than in reality.
Is That Really a Marvel Movie? On the Confusing State of Comic Book Films and Shared Universes
Deadpool is a monster hit. It has shattered records and proven that an R-rated superhero film can not only work, but be a massive success. In everything I've read and heard, it keeps getting repeated that Deadpool is a Marvel film. And that's true…but it's also false. Huh?
Read More Is That Really a Marvel Movie? On the Confusing State of Comic Book Films and Shared Universes
Week in Review (November 6, 2015)
This was a long week.
Read More Week in Review (November 6, 2015)
Documentary Tuesday: "The Death of 'Superman Lives" [2015]
In the mid-to-late '90s, Warner Brothers began development of a revival of Superman. Kevin Smith even wrote a script for it before Tim Burton became attached and brought in his own writers. He immediately cast Nicholas Cage as Clark Kent and there are rumors that Jim Carrey was in talks to portray Brainiac. The project […]
Read More Documentary Tuesday: "The Death of 'Superman Lives" [2015]


text:
using System;
using System.Reflection;
using Microsoft.DotNet.Cli.Utils;
using Microsoft.DotNet.Tools.Test.Utilities;
using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyModel;
using NuGet.Frameworks;
using Xunit;

namespace Microsoft.DotNet.ProjectModel.Loader.Tests
{
    public class ProjectLoadContextTest : TestBase
    {
        [Fact]
        public void LoadContextCanLoadProjectOutput()
        {
            var testInstance = TestAssetsManager.CreateTestInstance("TestProjectWithCultureSpecificResource")
                .WithLockFiles()
                .WithBuildArtifacts();

            var runtimeIdentifier = DependencyContext.Default.Target.Runtime;

            var context = ProjectContext.Create(testInstance.TestRoot, NuGetFramework.Parse("netcoreapp1.0"), new[] { runtimeIdentifier });
            var loadContext = context.CreateLoadContext(runtimeIdentifier, Constants.DefaultConfiguration);

            // Load the project assembly
            var assembly = loadContext.LoadFromAssemblyName(new AssemblyName("TestProjectWithCultureSpecificResource"));

            // Call Program.GetMessage() and assert the output
            var type = assembly.GetType("TestProjectWithCultureSpecificResource.Program");
            var message = (string)type.GetRuntimeMethod("GetMessage", Type.EmptyTypes).Invoke(null, new object[0]);
            Assert.Equal("Hello World!" + Environment.NewLine + "Bonjour!", message);
        }
    }
}


text:
Girls-only school focuses on marine sciences
From marine-science field trips to camping in the White Mountains and meditating by the sea, Heather Sieger will always be grateful for her experience at the Freeport-based Coastal Studies for Girls.
One thing that stood out for Sieger, she said, is the early "morning solos" – an opportunity for the students to quietly soak in nature and reflect on life in their journals.
"Every morning we would wake up, walk down to the ocean, and sit along a ridge looking out on the water in silence," said Sieger, a high school senior from Texas who attended Coastal Studies for Girls in 2013 during the spring semester of her sophomore year. "It was a nice time for meditation and quietness in our crazy, full days. It's hard to pick a favorite part of CSG. I have so many fond memories."
Coastal Studies for Girls is a semester-long (16 week) science and leadership school for 10th-grade girls, located on Wolfe Neck's Farm in Freeport, where students become immersed in a rigorous, marine science-based curriculum.
Classes are offered two semesters a year, from August-December and from February-June. During the semester, students interact directly with scientists and guest speakers in various science-related fields. Weeklong summer programming, which focuses on environmental research and leadership, is also available for middle-school girls.
According to the school's founder and executive director, Pam Erickson, students at CSG "deep dive" into marine science and leadership learning, "which is really critical" for 15-year-old girls. The leadership aspect is important because it helps the students to "grow more strong and confident in their ability" to pursue science, as well as other STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)-related careers."
In addition, the school offers courses to keep students up to speed with their home high schools' requirements in mathematics, English, history, and languages.
"We have space for 15 students, and they live together for four months in a little renovated farmhouse out on Wolfe's Neck Road," Erickson said.
The farmhouse, built in the 1850s, includes 15 beds, but the hope, she said, is to double that amount in the future.
"The program is doing very well and applications are growing," Erickson said. "We have not only a desire to grow, but a responsibility to spread our mission further (to) encourage young women in these really critical fields."
Tuition for the fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters is $22,000, and covers all academic instruction and materials, as well as room and board, guest lectures, field trips and leadership adventures.
Erickson calls Coastal Studies for Girls "a transformational experience."
The school's leadership and marine science-based classes go hand in hand, because "even though a young woman may have curiosity or capability in the science fields, (her) ability to connect and communicate, and be confident about that really comes through the leadership and residential life curriculum," Erickson said.
Sieger heard about the Coastal Studies for Girls program through an old friend, Eliza Balch, who attended during the spring of 2012. Sieger plans to major in human ecology with a focus on marine biology and environmental science at the College of the Atlantic this fall, after realizing her passion for marine biology and ocean conservation during her time at Coastal Studies for Girls.
"I loved all of our trips and marine science work," said Sieger. "Every weekend we went on a field trip and did a variety of things, from measuring estuary salinity and turbidity with the U.S. Geological Survey, to winter camping in the White Mountains of New Hampshire."
Erickson said that the girls travel from other independent and public schools from across the U.S., as well as other parts of the world, to attend the school.
"We've had two countries represented so far – Mexico and Nepal," since the school opened in 2010, said Erickson. "About one-third of our kids are from Maine."
Sieger learned a lot in her classes at Coastal Studies for Girls about Maine's history, plankton, micro plastic, literature, and even a lot about herself, she said.
"This experience was very unique and meaningful to me," said Sieger. "We learned, lived, and played together and made friendships that will last a lifetime."
Sieger recommends other sophomore girls attend Coastal Studies for Girls, calling the overall experience "beneficial." Since then, Seiger has been "semester-school-hopping" with other CSG alumnae, including the Conserve School in Wisconsin and the Woolman Semester School in California where the focuses were environmental studies, peace, justice and sustainability.
She hopes to eventually return to Coastal Studies for Girls to work as a residential teacher assistant.
"It's a great environment to learn and grow with a supportive community," said Sieger, who aspires to become a marine researcher and educator.
"When learning about microplastic, it made me so upset to know that there is so much plastic in our oceans that is killing so many marine animals."
Another memorable experience for Sieger was when the students took a weekend field trip to the University of Maine's Darling Marine Center in Walpole and collected marine creatures from a boat, including sea cucumbers, spider crabs, sea stars and more, to examine under a microscope.
"It was so exciting to look at everything that's on the ocean bottom in that area," said Sieger. "This was definitely one of the moments where I thought to myself, this is what I want to study for the rest of my life."
Sieger is optimistic about women in the STEM fields going forward.
"I think the numbers of women in science are increasing, which is great, and I hope to be one of them," she said. "As the feminism movement picks up and continues, I think more women and girls are feeling empowered to do what they love."
Erickson said she intentionally chose to create the school for 10th-grade girls because they are "at an age that they can delve into the academic rigor that we expect of them. It's a very intensive kind of program," she said.
"Our hope for them is that what they do with us sparks their thinking as a junior and senior in high school," Erickson added, as well as "college and career and life thereafter."
Students attend Coastal Studies for Girls "to define or redefine who they are," said Erickson, who dreamed of creating the school since the late 1990s. The nonprofit organization formed in 2005 and the school's opening day was Feb. 14, 2010.
According to a May 11 blog post on the Coastal Studies for Girls website, more than 85 percent of the school's 140 alumni are pursuing a four-year college or university, and more than one-third of them are focusing on science.
Frankline Mardi, from Massachusetts, who attended in spring of 2010, would recommend the school to all sophomore girls, including those who aren't passionate about science. Mardi is now a junior at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass., where she studies history and education.
"I think even if you aren't interested in STEM, it's an amazing program," said Mardi, who plans to become a teacher. "It's a time where you really get to explore who you are."
In addition to the Leadership Adventure course, Mardi also enjoyed listening to the guest speakers, who were women, talk about their work in the science field.
"I learned a lot," she said. "Before I took marine science I was really afraid of marine animals because I had never interacted with them before. I gained more appreciation for them."
But her favorite part about Coastal Studies for Girls, Mardi said, was that "you get to build your skills as a leader. You feel a lot more empowered. It's a great way to push you to challenge yourself."
High school senior Heather Sieger, from Texas, uses a net to collect plankton during a marine science class at Coastal Studies for Girls in Freeport, which she attended as a sophomore in 2013. Courtesy photo
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text:
  #define _ATL_CSTRING_EXPLICIT_CONSTRUCTORS	// some CString constructors will be explicit

  #define _AFX_ALL_WARNINGS // turns off MFC's hiding of some common and often safely ignored warning messages

  #include <afxext.h>
  #include <afxtempl.h>
  #include <atlbase.h>
#else
  #include "stdstring.h"
  #define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_WMI
#endif

#include <vector>

#define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_ENUMPORTS
#define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_SETUPAPI1
#define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_SETUPAPI2
#define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_WMI
#define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_COMDB
#define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_CREATEFILE
#define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_GETDEFAULTCOMMCONFIG
#define NO_ENUMSERIAL_USING_REGISTRY


Some believe that to be so… but I respectfully disagree. That phrase suggests that the mind alone decides what is beautiful and what is not. Is that entirely true?
Suppose I gave you an Apple, if you decide to think of it as a Pear… does that change the fact that it's an apple you're holding? No. The properties that make up that particular fruit are still there. It is what it is.
In a similar way, beauty has certain properties and is bound by rules. To the extent that we follow or disregard these rules, dictates weather we will achieve beauty in drawing, painting, building, and of course Graphic Design.
Someone may argue that… There are cases where I would find one person has a beautiful face, but my friend may think that he/she is not as beautiful. Wouldn't that imply that 'beauty really is in the eye of the beholder'? Well no. You see… beauty is not static. A square is beautiful because it has symmetry (1 element that dictates beauty)… however a circle ALSO has symmetry and is considered beautiful in it's proportions. If I decide that I like the shape of a square more than that of a circle… that will not change the beauty of the circle, it will still be considered universally beautiful.
Therefore… we see that while one or more things might have the raw elements that dictate beauty, we can still choose to gravitate towards one TYPE of beauty over another. This highlights that beauty has RANGE… but that range does not extended indefinitely. Should an object or drawing lack many or most of the elements of good design, it will 'fall out' of that range and '9 out of 10 people' will consider it unsightly. In fact, the study of the Golden Ratio and physical beauty attests to this as people of all races and backgrounds are more likely to be considered attractive the closer their proportions are to that ratio.
So beauty is out there... certain things, animate or inanimate, may possess it. While the viewer can decide what he deems as beautiful, he cannot change the inherent qualities in an object that makes it such, just by stating his opinion.


served by an internal lift.
Ground Floor: Spacious fully equipped kitchen, 3 bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms, summer living room. All the bedrooms on this level open onto the swimming pool.
First Floor: Entrance hall, spacious living / dining room of 100 sqm with fireplace, and a "Bofi" fully fitted kitchen.
Second Floor: Spacious master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, 2 further ensuite bedrooms.
Attractive gardens, private swimming pool and breathtaking panoramic sea view.


text:
Girl Afraid is a blog about living my life openly as a transgender woman. I hope to discover more about who I am by writing and sharing my story. The thoughts and opinions are my own, experienced from a unique point of view. All I'm offering is my version of the truth, nothing more. Thanks for reading. ♥Gia
"Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody"
What's your first positive experience with anything related to the LGBTQ community?
It's a question I regularly ask folks during trainings. To be fair, I borrowed this question from a friend and fellow LGBTQ advocate. She had asked the question to a group we were co-training to help them think and talk about the LGBTQ community in safe way. Hearing this prompt for the first time, I found myself thinking of my first positive experience, and to be honest, it was really hard to do. Eventually I thought of one, and for the next few months I shared the story about attending my first Rocky Horror Picture
20th Century Fox Films
Show. Every Saturday in Harvard Square 50 to 100 newcomers, or "virgins" as we were called, checked out the show, while many regulars — dubbed "sluts" — returned week after week. I was sixteen years old. The memory and experience stay with me to this day, but I don't think it was my first positive experience anymore. It's still a very fond memory, but I can think of few more that were a little earlier.
The story I tell now is about reading Catcher in the Rye, the book with the ominous blood red cover penned by reclusive author JD Salinger. It was 1981, I was fourteen years old, and I attended F. A. Day Junior High, which was located on the north side of town, in Newton Massachusetts. By ninth grade I knew I was attracted to both boys and girls, and also knew my gender identity was very different than what was given to me when I was born at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, in Brighton, a historically Irish part of Boston, less than four miles away.
I recall struggling as a reader since the 4th grade and hadn't made huge improvements by the time I entered Mr. D's English class in the the 9th grade. But Mr. D was different. He was young, athletic, and very handsome. So, with a sparkle in my green eyes, I read the book, hoping to impress my teacher.
To be honest, I recall very little of the novel. In fact in the nearly 37 years since, I nearly forgot about it completely. Perhaps it was too close to home at the time, especially the depiction and emotions of the main character, Holden Caulfield, whose struggle with loneliness, depression and suicidal thoughts weren't very different from my own back then.
There is one scene I remember to this day, like it was yesterday. After being kicked out of school, Holden's journey takes him to New York City. While in New York, he checks-in to a hotel. Which I thought was pretty cool for only being sixteen. In his room, he looks out the window and he can see into the apartment or hotel room of another building. In that room, he notices a middle age man undressing and then getting dressed in women's clothes. Well that was interesting to me. I mean really interesting.
And guess what happens next? Do you remember? I certainly do.
Nothing happens. Absolutely nothing.
Well from what I remember, Holden observes this event and the story moves on. Imagine that?
I know that's not very dramatic, but that's the point. Up until that very moment, the stories I had read, and the TV shows and movies I watched, all depicted someone like me, a transgender or gender non conforming person, as a monster, equal to the ghouls, aliens, and giant Japanese creatures I saw regularly on Creature Double Feature every Saturday afternoon on Channel 56. To the world we were criminals, rapists, murderers, serial killers - you name it, we - I was a danger to society and I believed it. Why not?
But when I read this small, seemingly insignificant passage, at the age of fourteen, it certainly left an impression. Sure I forgot about it and Mr. D for 36 years, but in retrospect, I think this was one of the first positive, or shall I say, not negative memories, I had of anything LGBTQ. I also believe there were other bread crumbs left for me along my journey, giving me hope that one day, I could be myself and not feel ashamed.
A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune to spend time with a
Stonington, Maine
childhood friend, and his family as they visited Maine. I've known my friend and his family since the two of us were in kindergarten together. He now lives thousands of miles away with his daughter, but often returns to New England to fish for striped bass, visit his mom, family, and friends. While we hadn't seen each other in a few years, we usually pick up where we left off, like old friends often do.
After dinner on the first night, we found ourselves sitting on the deck of his rented house, siping red wine, laughing about childhood friends, and looking out on one of Maine's most bucolic harbors which was being illuminated by the sliver of a waning moon, dancing between the late summer clouds as if they were lace curtains. During our conversation, he mentioned going to a bar earlier in the week and bumping into one of our former teachers.
"You'll never guess" he said.
"Mr. D?" I blurted out.
"What!, that's amazing" he replied. "How did you know?"
"I just came to me. He is the one teacher I'd like to bump into, so I said his name. But there's more." I continued. "There a story I tell with some frequency, about reading Catcher in the Rye and Mr. D" so maybe that's why I said his name."
"Well, he said he usually hangs out at that bar or this other restaurant, so we might be able to bump into him if you like"
To myself, I'm thinking this is too weird. What is Mr. D doing here in Maine? Doesn't he know he's the character in story I tell all the time?
The next day, I try to forget about it and enjoy my time with my friend, his family, and the surrounding ocean. But that night, after a long visit with cousins, my friend asks if I wanted to grab a drink and some food at "that" restaurant.
"Who knows, we might see Mr. D?" my friend said with an encouraging tone
"Sure, why not", I laughed
The place was about 5-8 miles out of town. It was still light, but getting darker by the minute. As we wound our way to our destination I told my friend the story about Catcher in the Rye. All the more reason to find our former english teacher my friend says.
We talk about other life stuff and the conversation suddenly gets serious. I mentioned my struggles with trauma, and how that has affected me and my mental health over the years. He inquires more, and with great sincerity. So I tell him something that only a few people know, that I was sexual abused by a priest when I was a teenager. As you can imagine, it gets real quiet. I let him know about how I've only come to understand what happen just in the past few years. I guess those memories were lost, stored in some filing cabinet in the recesses of my brain till I was ready to deal with it or was unlocked by something. That something was watching the film Spotlight for the first time. It was then that my memories started to return. At first everything was vague, just very uncomfortable feelings. They were followed by anxiety attacks, flashbacks, and upsetting dreams. I haven't had a full night' sleep in nearly two years. My friend was stunned, but also extremely compassionate.
We tried to make light of the subject by joking about the dark winding road, and that this would be a good place to hide the bodies. We make it to the restaurant and park in a field. Walking across the grass I wiped my eyes. I'm glad I told my friend, but wanted to composed myself.
We step inside the restaurant and my friend asks, "wanna sit at a table or at the bar?"
"Let's sit at the bar" I replied.
We walk past a guy butchering an Eagles' song on his guitar and turn the corner toward the bar.
"Well look who it is? He's here!" My friend laughs.
It's hard to see, but there he is, sitting alone on far side of the bar, it's Mr. D., now with gray hair, but still sporting a red sox shirt and a big smile. This makes me happy.
We walk around to the other side of the bar, past what looks like a group of lobsterman, and say hello. My friend laughs it up with Mr. D, and introduces me.
"Hey, it's good to see you. You were my 9th grade teacher too. And I think you were my sister's track coach in high school. I'm Gia."
He's seems confused. He recalls my sister, a few brothers, and even my parents, but not me. This happens, a lot. So I spill the beans, and tell him what's up, that I transitioned a several years ago, yata yata yata.
"Wow, it's good to see you."
Before too long a friend joins Mr. D. at the bar and my friend and I return to chatting. I order a vodka tonic and he orders a draft beer. We look over the menu and order some food to snack on as we talk.
As the evening carries on we chat a little more with Mr. D, I share that I was a teacher and coach for 20 years. He lets us know that he's now retired, and visits Maine a lot. He then offers to buy us the next round. My friend says yes, but I decline.
Mr. D. teases, "what are you, a lightweight"?
Haha, think to myself, my 9th grade teacher calling his former student a lightweight. "I"m the driver tonight' I inform him.
"Oh" he says. "That's important"
"It is" I reply.
My friend and I decide it's time go and say our farewells.
"It was good to see you, maybe we'll bump into one another again."
"Please say hi to your family, especially your parents," Mr D says.
On the ride home, my friend and I laugh and shake our heads.
"You need to write about this" he says.
"I dunno" I reply, "it's seems too….too perfect."
A few weeks have passed but I'm still struggling how to process several conflicting feelings; seeing Mr. D, catching up with old friends, thinking about Holden Caulfield and Catcher in the Rye, and the news out of Pennsylvania, where 300 priests, were accused of molesting and abusing thousands of children and teenagers, like me.
Why can't we just have nice things anymore, like rock candy?
We can. They wear Red Sox tee-shirts at the bar or fish for stripers off the pier.
Labels: Catcher in the Rye, childhood, FA Day, LGBTQ, maine, newton, Nice things, Priests, Sexual Abuse, Stonington, Teachers
At the state house this spring legislators argued for a bill that would change Maine's time zone from Eastern to Atlantic. Sponsors say the move, which would place the country's eastern most state into a time zone shared by Nova Scotia and Puerto Rico, would provide increased economic opportunities and less energy consumption in addition to offering more daylight in the afternoon and evening, especially during winter months.
The story caught my attention for many reasons; first, if enacted, changing time zones would be one of most significant changes in people's lives in Maine in a lifetime, and second, I think the story is symbolic of our persistent search for ways to harness, understand, and control time. But can moving our clocks ahead an hour really give us what we want? Maybe, maybe not, but we humans, modern humans to be more precise, have a fatal fascination with time travel, immortality, and youthfulness.
One of my favorite movies is Robert Zemeckis' 1985 classic, Back to the Future. In it, the hero, Marty McFly, jumps into a supped-up DeLorean (a sleek sports car from the 80's), complete with blinking lights, plutonium, and a device called the Flux Capacitor, invented by Marty's eccentric friend, Doc Brown, which makes time travel possible. The car is stand in for a time machine, and 17-year old Marty is unwittingly transported back to 1955 as he out runs a group of Libyan terrorist in a Mall Parking lot. Once back in time, Marty reconnects with Doc Brown, and his would be parents 30 years in the past and has to play matchmaker to bring them together so he can exist in the future. Thus is the paradox of time travel.
I'm all for brighter days between November to March, especially since the sun is barely visible for 8 short hours each day, when it's not cloudy or snowing. I'm also attracted to the idea of forming a stronger allegiance between our Canadian neighbors, Nova Scotia, the birthplace of my mother's parents and ancestors, a place I visited as a child, once thinking it was exotic simply because it was in a completely different time zone. I eventually learned the truth, Nova Scotia was only a few hundred nautical miles from Boston, where I lived, and I could even listen to the Red Sox on a small radio when I visited Canada in the early 70's. Time, I learned from early age, was indeed relative.
As part of my job, I regularly attend and present at conferences advocating on behalf of the LGBTQ community, and every time is different. Recently, after a panel discussion on Aging Creatively, a gentle looking and soft-spoken older man asked me if I wouldn't mind speaking with him in private. We exited the banquet hall through the server's door in the rear of the half-filled room of LGBTQ elders and found a spot in the beige colored hallway that lead to the kitchen to talk. The gentleman looked faintly familiar. He was probably in his mid to late sixties, his skin was pale and body unformed, like a butternut squash left in garden all winter to freeze and thaw.
After quick introductions we figured out we had indeed met a few years back; it was when I was speaking to gay men's group, a vestigial remnant from the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980's. I often look back at that time in my life with bittersweet memories. As a young adult and before I embraced my identity as a woman, I assumed a was a gay man, and why wouldn't I have, I enjoyed, and continue to enjoy flirting, kissing, and having sex with men. But the virus never took hold in me, like it did Jhan, one of my first boyfriends, who by the end of his life, accepted his fate, stopped taking his drugs, and died, like we all will, just fucking too soon.
After getting our introductions out of the way, he asked if he could share something very private with me. I agreed, as this is has become a regular request; it feel like I've become a traveling quasi therapist, but without the degrees or series of letters after my name. He leaned in close, and as the faint scent of Gray Flannel floated between us, he whispered in my right ear, "when I dream, I always dream of himself as a woman. Always have."
He pulled back for a second, then leaned back in again, "do you think this means I'm transgender?" he asked with the utmost sincerity.
I breathed in his fragile words, letting them fall gently into my consciousness, like I was trying to catch large brown oak leaves in my hands, slowly descending to earth, without crushing them.
Smiling back, I exhaled. "I don't know what your dreams means" I shared, hesitantly. "Have you talked to anyone else about this, your partner, a therapist perhaps?"
"No, you're the first person I've ever mentioned it to."
His words shook me, and it took me a moment to reply, "Thank you, I'm honored, really, I mean it. Thank you for trusting in me"
I asked a few more questions "were there any other clues or breadcrumbs you've noticed looking back, other feelings related to your dreams?
"Well…I've never felt completely happy, and I wonder if this is part of it, maybe I am … really a woman" he replied with some reservation.
I kept my eyes connected with his, and could see that he was scared. I reached my hands out in front of me, palms up, and he placed is baby soft hands in mine, and we gently held each other, quietly for moment. I then tried to reassure him by saying "it's going to be alright, it will" and as I was saying those words, a server approached us from the kitchen; so we let our hands drop to allow him to pass.
We talked for a few more minutes and out of nowhere he began to recall other moments from his childhood, pictures, magazines, and even dresses. The doors had been unlocked, and with that, there was a twinkle in his eyes, a light, a child perhaps, calling out to him from his past, sailing between the two of us on the river of time.
Labels: back to the future, elders, LGBT, time travel, transgender, year of the cat
The lights dimmed, and the church, filled beyond capacity, became quiet. An hour earlier I had dropped my mother off at the side door on Adams Street, which runs parallel with the large brick and Gothic inspired building. Adams Street is one of the primary roads through one of the thirteen villages of Newton called Nonantum, but known to most as "The Lake" where the colors of the Italian flag are used instead of double yellow lines, painted down the middle of many of the roads in this historically blue-color neighborhood, just across the railroad tracks and turnpike.
My mother had agreed to be one of the readers for the four o'clock Mass on Christmas Eve, and I volunteered to drive her and attend as well. As the service was geared for families and children, it had become one of most popular attended events of the year and the parking lot and adjacent streets would be filled long before mass was scheduled to start.
Our Lady Help of Christians Church, or Our Lady's for short, was dedicated in 1881 and is located at the corner of Washington and Adams Streets. The congregation, founded in 1872, was originally known as St. Brendan's, due to the ever increasing population of Irish Catholics in the Boston area. The large chapel can seat over 1400 people, which came in handy when Mother Teresa visited in 1995. It was also in this church that I received my Baptism, First Communion, Confession, and Confirmation, four of the holy sacraments. In addition, I've visited Our Lady's for Christmas Mass each year until I was in my early 20's, as well on many other special occasions, like each of my sister's weddings, family christenings, and several funerals. And while I wasn't around for it, my eventual grandparents, who had only recently emigrated from Canada, were married in the lower chapel nearly 90 years ago. That's a lot of history with a church, especially for someone who considers herself to be an atheist.
With the church now darkened, and only the final pray and recessional hymn remaining, the choir began singing Silent Night. From where I sat, nestled at the end of a pew with a family I didn't know, but who were gracious to let me join them, I could see my mom sitting at the back of the alter, surrounded by the other readers, Eucharistic ministers, and choral members, and she was singing too. I joined in, and for a moment I thought I could hear her voice, her strong and proud French Canadian voice, over the thousand other folks singing, it was like she was singing to me. Silent Night - holy night - all is calm - all is bright – round yon virgin – mother and child…
And in that moment, my emotions rose to the surface, and I had to stop singing. Tears dripped from my eyes and fogged my glasses. I reached for my black handbag and grabbed a tissue, hoping the people around me didn't notice. I don't know why the moment got to me so, maybe it was the thought of how much my parents have been through this year, both facing significant health concerns, my dad unable or unwilling to attend mass in a wheelchair, my mom facing his death, her own, was this their last Christmas together? I don't know, and I don't think they know either.
Or maybe it was my own insecurity, separated from my girlfriend who was attending a separate mass just ten miles away, huddled together in a church pew with her two boys and her ex. I felt alone, disconnected and removed from the other parishioners who filled the seats and lined the walls, dressed in their Sunday best, who believed in the magical realism of Christmas, praying for the promise of tomorrow and the all that the New Year may bring.
I looked up to the large faded mural above the alter which depicted the crucifixion of Jesus and closed my eyes. I saw all places I used to go, when I was young.
Labels: Christmas, christmas mass, church, Mom, newton, our ladys, silent night, the lake
Blame it on Tennessee
The other night, after watching PBS NewsHour, which included a tribute to John Glenn, one of America's first astronauts, and before turning to NBC's Thursday Night Football, I fell under the spell Magic Moments: The Best Of 50s Pop, a rebroadcast of a concert from 2004, used as a filler and fundraiser more than once. The show featured stars, now in their golden years, singing their hits from the days of poodle skirts, penny loafers, and greasers. I'm a helpless romantic, and while I was impressed by host Pat Boone's youthful enthusiasm, I was fixated on co-host Phyliss McGuire, of the McGuire Sisters, and her less than subtle plastic surgery, especially her enhanced, and slightly asymmetrical lips, sincerely wondering if that was my fate in 30 years time.
But before I could dwell on what might look like for me, she introduced the first act, "Patti Page, the Singing Rage". Patti Page was the best selling female artist of the 50's, and when she took the stage ensconced in a blue glittery gown, she was meet with a thunderous applause. And while some of the clapping was embellished during post-production, I felt it was appropriate; like it was her fans, applauding from the grave.
Her first song was her biggest hit, Tennessee Waltz. I know it only because it was featured in one of my favorite films, The Right Stuff. The movie, based on the Tom Wolf novel, is the story of the Mercury Space program in the 1950's, which includes, John Glenn. As she began to sing, my mind wandered, traveling to place and an idea I don't recall ever thinking about. How often does that happen? I thought about dancing with my dad, like at my brothers and sisters weddings, my cousins weddings, and even my own wedding some years ago. It was emotional.
And while I feel so fortunate to have shared the dance floor, on more than one occasion, with my beautiful mom who sometimes wore a cerulean blue dress, I haven't had that opportunity with my dad. It's not like he wasn't there, he was, but I grew up and attended most of those events as man in my parents' eyes.
Friday night I attended our Bangor Holiday event for work. It's a simple affair compared to our annual Gala, we show up, organize the function room, have a few drinks, nibble on appetizers, give some awards away, talk about our work, and ask for money. It was my job to talk about our work with our guests, both from the stage and amongst the crowd. I've been doing these events for nearly three years, and in that time, grown confident in myself as a woman, and as an activist and public speaker. But I was thrown off Friday and felt more vulnerable than most nights. Was it my speech, which addressed some of the disturbing trends we've seen in the aftermath of Trump's election? Was it the guest who misgendered me after finding out we were born in the same hospital in Boston? "He was born at St. Elizabeth's too" she called out to her friend. Maybe it was the reminder of the Pulse massacre, mentioned during one of the other speeches. Either way, I didn't see any of them coming, like a comet or meteor crashing into our atmosphere without warning.
I also don't know why the thought of dancing with my dad got to me so. Maybe it's the season, it's dark in Maine in December, the days are short and the nights are long and cold. And while I often catch myself ogling at the star filled sky, I'm reminded how small I am in this world, and on most nights alone as well. My parents have aged right before my eyes, and as I face their mortality this Christmas season, maybe I'm afraid of my own.
Labels: Christmas, John Glenn, LGBTQ, Misgendered, Mortality, Patti Page, Tennessee Waltz
Dear MaineTransNet Community,
Thank you. It is with a degree of sadness as well as a humble sense of satisfaction that I write this thank you letter to the MaineTransNet community. I've been connected to MTN for nearly eight years, first as a trans person in hiding, looking for answers, then as a volunteer and group facilitator, and eventually becoming a member of the board of directors in 2013, which included serving as both as vice president and board president. It's been a privilege to work with a great team of committed board members and volunteers, trans and allies alike, to ensure the sustainability and vitality of the organization.
I've always put trans people's needs front and center in my role as board president and found great value in listening and getting to know community members. In the summer of 2015 the board created a list of goals to work towards as an organization. Included in that list were these key items: increase outreach to under served community members, improve communication, focus on leadership development, secure a dedicated office, and become financially stable.
I know in the aftermath of the election, many in our community are scared, rightfully so, and there remain many unanswered questions, but I'm pleased (if that's the right word) to report MaineTransNet is in a better place today than when I arrived. This is not to say the organization was in a bad place two years ago, as we were fortunate to have excellent leadership prior to my tenure as well. But with the hard work and dedication of some incredible people, a few timely grants, and ongoing partnerships with like-minded organizations, we achieved the goals we set for ourselves 18 months ago. And while I know our organization is far from perfect and their remains significant areas for improvement and growth, our community is growing stronger everyday.
On December 1, my term as board president will come to a close and current board treasurer Quinn Gormley will become the new president of MaineTransNet. I couldn't be happier for her and our organization. I know most of you already know that Quinn is a smart, passionate, and devoted individual and she will make a superb leader. As treasurer she has worked tirelessly to focus our attention on becoming financially sustainable. I am assured that with the ongoing guidance from the board of directors and people like you; MaineTransNet will continue to be the safe place for Maine's Trans community to turn to for lifesaving support, education, and resources.
Thank you again for allowing me to serve this beautiful and brave community; it's been an honor.
Gia Drew
Make a donation today to support MaineTransNet's lifesaving work. Click to DONATE.
Labels: Donate, Maine Transgender Network, mainetransnet, MTN, trans
On Friday we learned the US Supreme Court will review an appeals court ruling concerning a Virginia school district's policy that discriminates against transgender students, in this case, high school student Gavin Grimm. The policy prevents him from using the boy's restroom. Many of us doing trans justice work have been following this case and many others across the country where governors, legislators, and even members of our own community, have been sending anything but mixed messages to transgender people, especially transgender youth, about our human rights and dignity.
As a middle-aged transgender woman I've been relatively fortunate in my journey, and even though I've been discriminated against, felt terribly alone, and made to feel like a freak, I'm still here. While the path as been challenging, I have a job, a roof over my head, friends, family, and a partner who gives me love, despite the fact that I'm a demanding princess. There are times I feel guilty that my life is good, especially when I hear so many stories of heartbreak, hate, abandonment, violence, ignorance, and shame. I think what gets to me most is people's indifference, their silence. But I understand, talking about transgender issues can be difficult, especially if you don't know what to say or if you're afraid of saying the wrong thing. But trust me, saying nothing is worse.
In 22 days, many around the world will gather for Transgender Day of Remembrance. November 20th is TDOR, the annual day to recognize, remember, and celebrate the lives of Transgender individuals murdered the previous year. I vividly recall attending my first TDOR, standing on the cold bricks and cobblestones of Monument Square in Portland, Maine. I felt relatively safe in the dark, illuminated only slightly by the flicker of the small Passover-like candles lit in memory of people I never met, but felt intimately connect to. In less than two months, I would embrace my identity as a trans person and begin a very public transition as a high school teacher and coach. Attending TDOR was a wake up call for me. As a privileged white girl preoccupied with the fear of loosing my job, spouse, friends, and family, I hadn't given all that much thought to the idea I could be killed for being myself. But I knew I couldn't go any further if I didn't step out of the shadows and begin living.
Last year we read the names of more than 250 transgender individuals, killed for just being themselves, and that's only the reported cases. In the US alone, there were 21 reported murders, 19 of whom were brave and beautiful trans woman of color. The intersections of race, poverty, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia, colliding and cutting short lives and dreams at a moments notice. The number of murders in the US this year has already surpassed 2015.
So with the impending Supreme Court case looming on the horizon, I'm afraid this Halloween weekend, not because of what they will or wont do, but because I know regardless of their decision, it's going to take more than a court order to change the hearts and minds of many people, including elected officials, school board members, and yes, LGBT advocates as well, some of which don't see us completely as human beings, but as monsters, or worse, bargaining chips, a threat to people's safety, privacy, or funding. Unfortunately, as we've learned from other civil rights battles, it may take years (and in some cases centuries) to see the promise of progress and feel free from the stubborn and thorny grasp of bigotry and greed. In the meantime, I'm going to keep stepping into the light, even on the darkest of days.
Labels: #TWOC, Civil Rights, Gavin Grimm, Halloween, maine, Privlege, Supreme Court, TDOR, trans, transgender
That little Candle
This week, Rosetta, a European spacecraft, crashed into comet 67p, also known as Churyumov-Gerasimenk, after a 12-year journey across time and space. Rosetta lost contact with Earth forever, bringing the historic mission to an end. The team in Darmstadt, Germany, who had been working on this project for decades,
clapped, embraced, and shed tears as the craft crash-landed on the comet that was traveling at 84,000 miles an hour. Ironically, Rosetta, was only traveling at a speed of 3 ft per second (walking pace) as it was embraced by the traveling cluster of rock-like material and dust originally from the Kuiper belt, a disc of remnants beyond our planets, formed after the birth of our solar system.
For me there is something tragic and captivating about this story, especially the thought of Rosetta's slow demise onto the surface of the racing comet, speeding across the universe, picking up wearing travelers, like gravity's angel.
I had the good fortune to spend last Saturday afternoon with my girlfriend and her two boys. Thanks to my dad, we had tickets to the Boston College football game at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, an area in Massachusetts best know for the Jesuit college, part of the Boston Marathon route at the top of Heartbreak Hill, and a mall. Chestnut Hill is also part of three municipalities, Boston, Newton, and Brookline, and three different counties, Suffolk, Middlesex, and Norfolk. Talk about identity crisis.
Anyway, it was a picture-perfect early fall afternoon, and while the game was a snooze, BC squashed Wagner State 42- 10, there were a few moments that I can't stop thinking about.
My girlfriend's kids are in elementary school, and just a few years apart in age. We've been dating eight months now; in fact that Saturday was our anniversary. I knew going into the game that we probably weren't going stay the entire four quarters. The boys are young, and I don't have remotely the same interest in college football that I had when I played football as a youth or even when I coached early in my teaching career, but the boys love sports and we thought this was something fun to do together. It was.
Traveling to the game and walking around the stadium past tailgaters and college students was nostalgic for me. As a kid, I remember coming to a BC game for the first time when I was about the same age as the oldest of my girlfriend's boys. It was special then and still is. My dad graduated from Boston College in 1955 and one of my brothers did too in the 80's. Because we lived just a few miles from the stadium, our family went to and still goes to home games every year. This was my first time going openly as a trans woman, which sounds weird to write, but for me it was significant.
Two things stand out from that afternoon. The oldest of my girlfriend's boys is an athlete and also sensitive, he holds my hand in crowds or when we're crossing the street, and that was no different last week. He also leans on me when we're sitting as group, which I find endearing and comforting that he trusts me. That happened too. But what really caught my attention were his questions. After each touchdown or score, the BC cheerleaders tumble across the end zone, with the final girl doing round-offs, flips and twists as an exclamation point.
As we watched, he asked, "Gia, were you ever a cheerleader?"
I smiled, and let the thought sink in "no, no I wasn't, but I'm sure I thought about it." I paused. " but I did do gymnastics until the 10th grade"
With not much of a reaction from him, he asked another question just moments later, "When you played football, did you wear long sleeves under your uniform when it was cold?"
"I guess" I stammered, not knowing he knew I played football.
It took me a few moments, but then the gravity of what he said, eventually hit me. He was able to hold two somewhat opposing thoughts in his head, someone could be both a cheerleader and a football player, plus he was also concerned about football players being cold and being able to perform with long sleeves, that was sweet.
Sitting on a cold metal bench under a brilliant blue sky, the game had been momentarily interrupted by a child's wonder and innocence, colliding like a spacecraft landing on a comet.
Labels: 67P, Boston College, Cheerleader, Chestnut Hill, Fall Tradition, Football, Rosetta, transgender
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How did Toni create this look?
I loved doing Ayan's makeup. She had shaved her hair especially for this shoot.
We finished off prep by bleaching the eyebrows.
After applying heaps of Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream and Magic Rescue Eye Cream, (I like slightly oily skin as a base for makeup) I applied Mac Pro Full Coverage in NW45 and NW50 using a damp beauty blender. I also applied base all over the head to even out the skin tone. Using Make Up For Ever I mattified the T-Zone ever so slightly.
I didn't really contour other than a little with the darker toned foundation. For the highlighter I used Tom Ford Shade Illuminate and applied it with my fingers.
For the eyes, I used Pat McGrath Black 002 Eye Gloss, Black Caviar Gel Liner and my favorite eyeliner Kat von D Tattoo Liner Trooper.
For the lips, I dabbed a little Pat McGrath Black 002 Eye Gloss with my fingers.


text:
18 to go to war........but not the nba!
As a NBA lockout looks more and more like it is going to happen, The Players Association has some demands. Like most negotiations there are some sticking points that can't be compromised. This year since we are in the midst of a recession, the next labor deal is very crucial.
One of the items that is up for debate is are ole' pal "age limit". Chris Broussard from ESPN.com is reporting that the Players Assoc. is asking for how things used to be when there was no age limit. In the 2005-2006 season there was an agreement that no player under the age of 19 was permitted into the NBA or a year removed from high school. You were allowed to sign with the NBDL.."Minor Leagues".
The Players Union would like to do away with the age limit stating that it is racially, economically and just down right unamerican to have this rule in place.
Before 2005-2006 age limit was set in motion you had a flood of stars that have made the grade in the NBA and have pissed on the age limit law....Kobe, Lebron, Dwight Howard(sorry Dwight, not on a first name basis just yet.)and more and more that I will name later. Notice two of the names were #1 Overall Picks..just food for thought.
My feelings are really simple, if you have the game...then you should be able to play. In tennis you are considered a prodigy if you can play professional by age 14(Jenniffer Capratti), if you can swing a bat or throw 90 plus you are drafted right out of high school straight to the MLB(Alex Rodriguez),even in NASCAR you have Joey Logano who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing and was only 19 years young. In the NFL you have to be 3 years removed from high school, which makes sense since you are dealing with such a violent sport.
With the NBA you are dealing with a lot of issues but the biggest one is money, it always comes down to money. The NCAA loses its stars to he NBA and the university's marketing departments takes a crap thinking about the millions that they will not be making so they can go on there expensive business trips or for whatever lie they want to tell us. All I know it is not about education. If you think about how sweet was it when we saw Melo knocking down jumper after jumper to help the Cuse' win a National Championship, I know Gerry McNamara and Hakeem Warrick are. It is rare that people will put off millions to help generate millions for someone else.
Bottom line is, if you could change your whole life by signing your name on the dotted line, would you? But you are not just changing your life, you are changing your Moms life, your Dads life and even your girlfriends life. How many would take financial security for the next 15 years over struggling for the rest of your life, yeah....that's what I thought.
I'm going to leave you with a list of high school greats that did pretty OK when it was said and done.
Reggie Harding, Detroit Eastern High School, Detroit, Michigan (1962, drafted a second time in 1963)
Moses Malone, Petersburg High School, Petersburg, Virginia (1974, made his NBA debut in 1976)
Darryl Dawkins, Maynard Evans High School, Orlando, Florida (1975)
Bill Willoughby, Dwight Morrow High School, Englewood, New Jersey (1976)
Shawn Kemp, Concord High School, Elkhart, Indiana (1989, attended University of Kentucky and Trinity Valley Community College but did not play college basketball. Was kicked off the University of Kentucky basketball team after pawning a teammate's necklace.)
Kevin Garnett, Farragut Career Academy, Chicago, Illinois (1995)
Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion High School, Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania (1996)
Jermaine O'Neal, Eau Claire High School, Columbia, South Carolina (1996)
Tracy McGrady, Mt. Zion Christian Academy, Durham, North Carolina (1997)
Stephen Jackson, Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia (2000, attended Butler Community College but did not play college basketball)
Al Harrington, St. Patrick High School, Elizabeth, New Jersey (1998)
Rashard Lewis, Alief Elsik High School, Houston, Texas (1998)
Jonathan Bender, Picayune Memorial High School, Picayune, Mississippi (1999)
Darius Miles, East St. Louis High School, East St. Louis, Illinois (2000)
DeShawn Stevenson, Washington Union High School, Fresno, California (2000)
Kwame Brown, Glynn Academy, Brunswick, Georgia (2001)
Tyson Chandler, Dominguez High School, Compton, California (2001)
Eddy Curry, Thornwood High School, South Holland, Illinois (2001)
DeSagana Diop, Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia (2001)
Amare Stoudemire, Cypress Creek High School, Orlando, Florida (2002)
LeBron James, St. Vincent - St. Mary High School, Akron, Ohio (2003)
Travis Outlaw, Starkville High School, Starkville, Mississippi (2003)
Kendrick Perkins, Clifton J. Ozen High School, Beaumont, Texas (2003)
Dwight Howard, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Atlanta, Georgia (2004)
Shaun Livingston, Peoria Central High School, Peoria, Illinois (2004)
Sebastian Telfair, Abraham Lincoln High School (New York), Brooklyn, New York (2004)
Al Jefferson, Prentiss High School, Prentiss, Mississippi (2004)
Josh Smith, Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia (2004)
J.R. Smith, Saint Benedict's Preparatory School, Newark, New Jersey (2004)
Dorell Wright, Leuzinger High School, Lawndale, California (2004)
Martell Webster, Seattle Preparatory School, Seattle, Washington (2005)
Andrew Bynum, St. Joseph High School, Metuchen, New Jersey (2005)
Gerald Green, Gulf Shores Academy, Houston, Texas (2006)
C.J. Miles, Skyline High School, Dallas, Texas (2005)
Monta Ellis, Lanier High School, Jackson, Mississippi (2005)
Louis Williams, South Gwinnett High School, Snellville, Georgia (2005)
Andray Blatche, South Kent Preparatory School, South Kent, Connecticut (2005)
Amir Johnson, Westchester High School, Los Angeles, California (2006)
Posted by New Era Sports Network at 12:15 PM


Diagnostic accuracy of ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy for Mohs surgery of basal cell carcinomas: a prospective study on 753 margins.
Frozen histological sections are currently used for intra-operative margin assessment during Mohs surgery. Fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) is a new tool, which offers a promising and faster alternative to frozen histology.
The aim of the present study is to prospectively evaluate in a clinical setting, the accuracy of FCM as compared to frozen sections in BCC's margin assessment.
Patients with BCC, scheduled for Mohs surgery were prospectively enrolled. Freshly-excised surgical specimens were first examined through FCM and then frozen sections were evaluated. Permanent sections were finally obtained, in order to validate our sample technique. A blind re-evaluation was also performed for discordant cases between FCM and frozen sections. Sensitivity and specificity levels, as well as positive and negative predicting values were calculated and ROC curves were generated.
We enrolled 127 BCCs in as many patients (40.2% females). A total number of 753 sections were examined. All BCCs were located on the head and neck area. When evaluating the performance of FCM as compared to frozen sections 79.8% sensitivity, 95.8% specificity, 80.5% positive predicting and 95.7% negative predicting values were found (Area Under the Curve: .88, 95%CI .84-.92; P<.001). A total of 49 discordant cases between FCM and frozen sections evaluations were blindly re-evaluated, of which 24 were false positive and 25 false negative. The performance of FCM and frozen sections was also evaluated according to the final histopathological assessment.
We found high levels of accuracy for FCM as compared to frozen sections evaluation, in intra-operative BCC's margin assessment during Mohs surgery. Some technical issues still prevent a wide use of this technique, but new upcoming devices promise to overcome these limitations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Titolo originale Diagnostic accuracy of ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy for Mohs surgery of basal cell carcinomas: a prospective study on 753 margins.
Autori Longo C, Pampena R, Bombonato C, Gardini S, Piana S, Mirra M, Raucci M, Kyrgidis A, Pellacani G, Ragazzi M.