gistfile1.m

        self.particles = [NSMutableArray array];
        
        minimumLife = 3.0;
        maximumLife = 10.0;
        
        minimumParticles = 100;
        maximumParticles = 250;
        
        _deadParticles = (NSInteger*)malloc(sizeof(NSInteger) * maximumParticles);
        _deadParticleCount = maximumParticles;
        
        
        for (NSInteger i = 0; i < maximumParticles; i++) {//Cache all particles for speed
            _deadParticles[i] = i;
            ZParticle *particle = [[ZParticle alloc] init];
            [self.particles addObject:particle];
            [particle release];
        }


//used later in emit particles to snag an object to edit is properties

- (ZParticle*)getDeadParticle{
    
    NSInteger index = _deadParticles[--_deadParticleCount];//pull from the tail
    
    return [self.particles objectAtIndex:index];
    
}

//used later in render object to setup rendering data and this is where the data is corrupt

 for (ZParticle *particle in self.particleEmitter.particles) {
        
        if ([particle isAlive]) {
         }
}