diff --git a/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/KitchenSync.as b/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/KitchenSync.as
index 0ec58f7..44f8ef2 100644
--- a/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/KitchenSync.as
+++ b/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/KitchenSync.as
@@ -50,7 +50,12 @@ package org.as3lib.kitchensync
 		 * 
 		 * @see org.as3lib.kitchensync.utils.ITimeStringParser
 		 */
-		public static function get timeStringParser():ITimeStringParser { return _timeStringParser; }
+		public static function get timeStringParser():ITimeStringParser { 
+			if (_timeStringParser == null) {
+				_timeStringParser = KitchenSyncDefaults.timeStringParser;
+			} 
+			return _timeStringParser; 
+		}
 		public static function set timeStringParser(timeStringParser:ITimeStringParser):void { _timeStringParser = timeStringParser; }
 		private static var _timeStringParser:ITimeStringParser;
 		
@@ -105,7 +110,6 @@ package org.as3lib.kitchensync
 			synchronizer = Synchronizer.getInstance();
 			synchronizer.core = synchronizerCore;
 			
-			timeStringParser = KitchenSyncDefaults.timeStringParser;
 			_isInitialized = true;
 		}
 		
diff --git a/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/action/tween/TweenFactory.as b/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/action/tween/TweenFactory.as
index a85eb15..5bae3a0 100644
--- a/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/action/tween/TweenFactory.as
+++ b/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/action/tween/TweenFactory.as
@@ -76,6 +76,34 @@ package org.as3lib.kitchensync.action.tween
 				
 			return new KSTween(tweenTargets, duration, delay, easingFunction, easingMod1, easingMod2);
 		}
+		
+		/**
+		 * Creates an alpha tween that fades out.
+		 * The list of parameters are simplified to keep this function short and practical.
+		 *
+		 * @see #newTween()
+		 * @see #newFadeInTween()
+		 * 
+		 * @param target Tween's target must be a display object.
+		 * @param duration The time in milliseconds that this tween will take to execute. String values are acceptable too.
+		 */
+		public static function newFadeOutTween(target:DisplayObject, duration:* = 0):KSTween {
+			return newTween(target, "alpha", AUTO_TWEEN_VALUE, 0, duration, 0, Linear.ease); 
+		}
+		
+		/**
+		 * Creates an alpha tween that fades in.
+		 * The list of parameters are simplified to keep this function short and practical.
+		 *
+		 * @see #newTween()
+		 * @see #newFadeOutTween()
+		 * 
+		 * @param target Tween's target must be a display object.
+		 * @param duration The time in milliseconds that this tween will take to execute. String values are acceptable too.
+		 */
+		public static function newFadeInTween(target:DisplayObject, duration:* = 0):KSTween {
+			return newTween(target, "alpha", AUTO_TWEEN_VALUE, 1, duration, 0, Linear.ease); 
+		}
 
 		/**
 		 * Creates a tint tween.
diff --git a/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/animation/ITransitionGenerator.as b/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/animation/ITransitionGenerator.as
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..344aef5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/org/as3lib/kitchensync/animation/ITransitionGenerator.as
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package org.as3lib.kitchensync.animation
+{
+	import org.as3lib.kitchensync.action.IAction;
+	
+	/**
+	 * Creates actions using KitchenSync for show and hide transitions.
+	 * Keep in mind that the transitions are not necessarily started at the time they are requested
+	 * so you shouldn't assume that a generator is shown just because getShowTransition() was called.
+	 */
+	public interface ITransitionGenerator
+	{
+		function getShowTransition():IAction;
+		function getHideTransition():IAction;
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file