  Using an analytical parameterization of hadronic freeze-out in relativistic
heavy ion collisions, we present a detailed study of the connections between
features of the freeze-out configuration and physical observables. We focus
especially on anisotropic freeze-out configurations (expected in general for
collisions at finite impact parameter), azimuthally-sensitive HBT
interferometry, and final-state interactions between non-identical particles.
Model calculations are compared with data taken in the first year of running at
RHIC; while not perfect, good agreement is found, raising the hope that a
consistent understanding of the full freeze-out scenario at RHIC is possible,
an important first step towards understanding the physics of the system prior
to freeze-out.
