TITLE: The Balance of the Universe CONCEPT: This was actually inspired by something that happened to me a few weeks ago. I had gone out to a local bar in my neighborhood that I like to go to on occasion a lot of college kids hang out so it is bit more upbeat and crazy at times there and they play a lot of hard rock and heavy metal music usually quite loud. Anyway while I was there a guy came up and asked me for change for a 2euro coin all I had was 1.40 in change but he accepted it so, I thought "Wow I'm up 60 cents for the night." I had gotten their late and this other guy I was sitting next to was very much inebriated to the point of even nodding off on occasion. Anyway at the end of the night I didn't want him to try to walk back to his hotel by himself because he could not stand let a lone walk very well. So I had the bar call him a taxi and before I could get him into the taxi he trots off down the road to a hotel not even 1 block down the road. Go figure! So I go ever to explain to the taxi that we don't need him anymore. He tells me that he had been waiting in line at the airport for a spot for over two hours. I felt bad and apologized for calling him and not utilizing his services I went ahead and paid him for his time over and told him to keep the change, which turned out to be .60 cents. As I walked home I started to think how the universe has opposites that seem to balance things out and the universe will always find away to balances itself out in all aspects: Also thinking of the Metaphysical images of the cosmic egg of birth and death and rebirth as something new or as the snake eating it's tail symbolizes in many beliefs systems of the world. Life-Death, New-Old, Light-Dark, Good-Evil, Sun-Moon Etc. EXPLANATION: I wanted to make some kind of image to show some concept of balance and the steps of life concept just grew from the idea of life and death and the door sort of speaks of the unknown that will follow and the way that in the end it all comes to balance itself out. How when we die are bodies go back into the soil and become part of new life. "We are all made of stars" lyrics from song by Moby "Earth to earth; ashes to ashes, dust to dust." from the Book of Common Prayer. DETAILS: The figures are arranged on the steps in their progression of life. The young ones are excited sprinting practicality leaping with enthusiasm for life and looking up with hope in their eyes. The middle-aged man and woman are just trying to go slow and steady keeping their eyes straight. The oldest couple is having difficulty going up the stairs life has been good but their bones are weary and they are tired. The skeletons representing death are prone in respite or respect just waiting for the door to open and go onto the next step of this cosmic cycle. TECHNICAL: I used the older Poser 4 figures and the stairs and overlays from DMR's DREAM ART2 some odd and ends from my props folder. NOTES: I'm sorry that I haven't been around for awhile but I was quite busy trying to work 2 jobs and then I was busy trying to get caught up on my commenting. And have finally made it. Hope every one is doing OK and thanks for looking. Hope you enjoy and feel free to comment on this image or about the subject in general. Thanks for all the wonderful comments and favorites as of late.