         
         let gestureRecognizer = UITapGestureRecognizer(target: self, action: "handleMenuPress")
         gestureRecognizer.allowedPressTypes = [UIPressType.Menu.rawValue]
-        gestureRecognizer.cancelsTouchesInView = false
+        gestureRecognizer.cancelsTouchesInView = true
         self.view.addGestureRecognizer(gestureRecognizer)
         
         leftSwipe = UISwipeGestureRecognizer(target: self, action: Selector("swipe:"))

                
                
            }
            modalMenu?.alpha = 1
            self.view.addSubview(self.modalMenu!)
        }
    }
    

        if let modalMenu = modalMenu {
            if self.view.subviews.contains(modalMenu) {
                //bkirchner: for some reason when i try to animate the menu fading away, it just goes to the homescreen - really odd
                UIView.animateWithDuration(0.5, animations: { () -> Void in
                    modalMenu.alpha = 0
                }, completion: { (finished) -> Void in
                    print("finished: \(finished)")
                    if finished {
                        modalMenu.removeFromSuperview()
                    }
                })
//                modalMenu.removeFromSuperview()
                return true
            }
        }
