Given the subject is time...I thought an hourglass was the most appropriate graphical representation. The image is 99% from scratch. The only "other tubes" are a sparkle from "The Hoods" and Jasc's "streamers". The fireworks were made by applying Blade Pro Presets to the letter "Z" in the "Holidays" font by the Afga Division of the Bayer Corporation. I have made 7 sets of tubes and a tutorial for compiling, and later animating the sand, which can be found here: Millenium Hourglass tubes and tutorial. If you'd like to try your hand...be my guest! *smile*