Opposites

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

-Robert Frost

Sacrifice

This man sacrificed his life, unconditionally, for a large number of people who mocked, hated and doubted him -- so that "they" would experience a life of freedom and joy.

Today, we may sacrifice our morning tee time to partake in a neighborly deed. Not only do we view such an inconvenience as sacrificial, but we attach strings to it and strike another notch in our cross. After all, isn't life all about "us"? What's in it for us?

Skyline

The center star of Orion's belt suddenly took a heavenly descent. Streaking through the sky towards them, the townspeople knew that something very wicked was heading their way. What form this bearer of ill-tiding assumed, they knew not. However, the modest, intellectual leaders of this town knew that by ignoring its presence, the threat of danger would surely pass over their heads. Unfortunately for them, they were gravely mistaken.

Sticky

Desperately kicking and screaming, the Jolly Rancher avoided a sticky situation; managing to cut one of the ropes that tightly bound him to the burning stick frame. Although he was unaware that it is sacrilige for a cowboy to make fire in an Indian burial ground, the Suni tribe made sure that he wasn't about to forget it anytime soon.

Rain

Try though they may to shelter you, know that the best things come from taking risks and moving out from under the canopy of people's hopes and expectations.

"Why won't you run
in the rain and play
Let the tears splash all over you."
-Dave Matthews Band

Dance

Salmone's rhythmic movements were so captivating, mezmerizing and enchanting -- an act of passion that caused the great King to act irrationally. And let us not forget that the abandonment of reason sometimes costs dearly...this time it was someone's head.

Jungle

Big, tough, stacked and strapped -- if it the dense jungle you wish to enter, you must first outwit this beast of the vast plains.

Portrait (Port-Rat)

Exactly what was it that made this Port-Rat so popular? Was it her ledgendary status as an admiral amidst the torpid seas, her relentless refusal to divulge country secrets under torturous human subjugation, or her famous saying, "How dark D-Kon of man"? Whatever the reason, she attracted more spectators than any other -- all of which were determined to solve the enigmatic mystery that surrounded her ledgendary, iconic status.

Cake

Some thought it was "cake", but the sojourn through the black forest was so much more. These woods held more peril and potential for harm than anyone could possibly fathom. Caution all ye whose judgment is based on the superficial appearance of things, for there just may be more to things than meets the eye.

Sorry

It was nine o'clock when the fleet of fearless birds took flight among the foothills of Florence. The apology, signed by the Florentine arms dealer, Fiorentine Forrenzio, had all intentions of reaching its intended recipient -- the Duke of Milan. However, an unsuspecting faction of war-crazed barbarians intercepted this night journey, managing to rid the flock of the lone bird who carried the pithy paper -- the document which would have prevented the Thousand Year's War.

Angels and Devils

Amidst the dichotomy of good and evil in our known universe, let us not forget the only being who was both angel & demon. It was Lucifer, whose pride and jealousy earned him a "hot spot". Although he now delights in the art of seduction and tantalization, HE - more than anyone else - knows that his own fate is nothing more than eternal damnation in a hell that is hotter and more painful than any mortal could ever possibly imagine.

Fat

It was the ninth hour of the fifth day in the Battle of Swiss Isle. Jacques, although tattered from the fight, mustered enough strength to stake claim to the city's capital. Always driven by a seemingly endless spark of determination, he gathered the fat from his defeated enemies. Wine and cheese, what better way to celebrate a glorious victory.

Under the Sea

A parallel universe exists between that which lies above and beneath the great Sea. Although mankind has studied the immense diversity of life and design interred ‘neath the water, we have merely scratched the shallow surface with the blades of our superficial reason.

Robot

Leonardo in the 21st Century: Although many feel robots are a phenomenon wrought of our modern age, we need remind ourselves that it was the master (500 years ago) who forfeited his Florentine nationality in order to design lethal robots...machines that fascinated, astounded, and dumfounded strong armies...machines in the service of men through the art of WAR!

Spotted

You should have known better than to engage in a chess duel with Dr. Van Duggle. Although you think you know how to micro-manage pawns in a black-and-white world, it was only a matter of time until he spotted your weakness and capitalized on his opportunity to "check" your King.

Speed

The tortoise, although fully aware that his strength lies in his defense from the wild beasts that ravaged the land, wished that he too could make swift of himself like the others. Although we each possess distinct gifts and abilities, some of us will do anything in our attempts to "measure up".

Spring

Laying limply in a hot spring in the south hills of Tuscany, the Barbarian general had no clue that cupid - always waiting in the wings for a little mischief - was capitalizing on a golden opportunity. Little did Cupid know that it was HE who was playing the fool, as Pandorus sprung on this chance to steal a stiff arrow from the vulnerable quiver and shot it through the belt of Orion. The coarsing of this arrow created a cataclysmic cosmic event which many now call the vernal equinox -- the "coming of the Spring season". It was at this time that Cupid knew that his holiday was truly over, at least for another 10 months.

Monster

Has the Industrial Revolution and its consequences been a disaster for the human race or has its influence been a necessity for a better quality of life? No matter which side you may agree with, one thing is for sure -- its existence has led to the creation of a large number of monsters...monsters that society has yet to not only fathom, but contain.

Feet:Part II

Okay...here's a quick little skeletal study of...you guessed it..."feet". Couldn't resist throwing this classroom demo in...hot off the press.

Feet

The greatest hero of the Trojan War, responsible for conquering mighty Troy, had but one weakness. Unfortunately for Achilles, he was dipped into the liquid of immortality, held by his ankles -- the only part of his body susceptible to the woes of the earth. No other being knew better where this weakness lied than that of Paris, who offered the tattered warrior a private pedicure after Greece's most famous battle.

Tattoo

Patiently waiting for his captor to return, Cupid not only eluded his shackles, but fashioned a bow and one arrow out of the rotting tree stump from which he was bound. Knowing he had but only one opportunity to secure a successful escape, he fired a well placed shaft into the back of the heartless soldier. Into the empty sky flew Cupid, leaving nothing to the his captor but bewilderment and a well-crafted tattoo, carved into the lowly dying tree, that today, so ironically saved his life.

Insect: Part 2

After a long day at work, Sebastian entered the famous "Walnut Room" lounge, kicked back and lit up six of his finest cigars. Was his death the result of FEAR of the the fact that a termite inhabited a well-wooden room or JEALOUSY from the fact that someone could enjoy six specimens simultaneously? Whatever the reason, the bouncers were certain that he be removed from the high-browed lounge and tossed to the lowly cobblestone streets that so wickedly awaited his poor exoskeleton.

Insect

Magicicada septendecim, also known as the "Seventeen Year Cicada", is a true testament to the order, sequence and pure patience of mother nature. Every seventeen years, these creatures emerge from their encasements -- only to experience but a few days with their newly grown wings. Although most of them use this brief time to make love, some choose to wage war.

Tea

Cause of death: suicide...The raven, symbol of death became death today. The note stated that Haydn, upon accidentally eating the extremely poisonous GUIGIAN TEA LEAF, decided to hang himself. However, several factors led to a heightened suspicion amongst the flock about their friend's death. They authorized the famed surgeon, Dr. Esposito, to conduct an altopsy -- a procedure that may validate the uncertainty that Haydn's death just may have been a setup, the result of a jealous starling's attempt to rid the flock of their well loved, extremely talented leader.

Song

As a result of his inappropriate behavior in the Court of Orpheus, Cupid was ordered to pay pennance by repairing Apollo's beloved cello. Apollo, never dismissed for his love of the arts, was certain that nothing got in the way of his wine, women, and song.

Tired and tattered from the day’s battle on Tongue Creek, Tashunkewitko takes time to reflect upon the inherent potential that lies within the simple egg that has miraculously escaped destruction. He ponders the unnecessary complexity that humanity has not only allowed, but embraced.

Chair

Yours is the cloth, mine is the hand that sews time; his is the force that lies within.
-Led Zeppelin

Glamour

Glamour, that trans-human aura or power to attract imitation, is a kind of vessel into which dreams are poured, and some vessels are simply worthier than others... A beautiful woman can turn heads but real glamour has a deeper pull... Glamour [is] the power to rearrange people's emotions, which, in effect, is the power to control one's environment.

Arthur Miller

Cats

The first eight were challenging. It was numbers 9 and 10, however, who would present the most formidable obstacle for General Xavier’s success. Although this particular fight was a rather expensive event for the average Roman spectator, it was the very thing that would today cost “X” his life.

"E is for" ENRAGED...

Riddled by an onslought of deadly arrows, Captain Egon Metubuken became highly enraged with passion...a passion for revenge that is, against the machines that so cruely had invaded his land.

Sea

Amidst a tempestuous sea, Saint Michael spent the greater part of a millenium consummating revenge upon the elusive shark that so long ago robbed him of his first love.

Flavor

Dr. Overstreet knew that, although time had taken its toll on his aged body, it had lent much flavor to the Cabernet Sauvignon that dwelt in his wine cellar all these years.

Holiday

T'was time at last for the morose Saint Nicholas to lay to rest excess stress and partake in celebrating a rare 'holiday' of his own. The toils of the day made this moment all the more enjoyable, as he partook with relentless determination of a tall "Christmas Spirit" of his very own choosing.

Imagine

The quality of the imagination is to flow and not to freeze.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Surprise

Imagine the surprise when Mars discovered that his object of affection was not born from the castration of Cronus, but from within the skin of a ripe, red plum grown on the shores of Naxos.

Blue

From the "Blueberry Battle Epics III": Capt. Corvello makes a desperate stab at Merkuquois Gado during the battle of St Vincent Mountain.

Small

Some of the biggest things come in small packages. Here's to "unrealized potential" found in the most seemingly insignificant objects.

Cupid's Stray Arrow

Some stray arrows create opportunities for others...'tis the freedom that govern's this universe.

What does not kill you makes you stronger.