May 2013

Review: Antiagon Fire by L.E. Modesitt

  • Posted on: 30 May 2013
  • By: Jay Oyster

Cover art of L.E. Modesitt's Antiagon FireReview of Antiagon Fire by L.E. Modesitt. Reviewed on May 30th, 2013. 

Antiagon Fire is the fourth book in L.E.Modesitt's second Imager series. The first series,a trilogy composed of Imager, Imager's Challenge, and Imager's Intrigue were set in a location that is very reminiscent of 1890s Paris. The second series, Scholar, Princeps, Imager's Batallion, Antiagon Fire, and the final book in the second series, Rex Regis, are set many hundreds of years earlier in the same world. If I had to guess at a parallel date, I'd guess at around 1500CE for this second series, since they have cannon, but individual firearms ('muskets') are still rare. But the defining feature of Modesitt's world here is the fact that 'imaging' exists. Imaging is the ability of some rare individuals to call into existence things with their thoughts. As with all Modesitt magic, its use has real and hard limits. The point of the books is almost certainly one of exploring how intangible power such as imaging would impact the politics, government, power struggles, warfare, and personal interactions of a society. By throwing this fantastical element into a world very similar to our own in most other aspects, the author provides a very telling study of human nature and the way that our social structures actually function.

Occasionally, Modesitt's desire to study the effects of his scenario can tend to overwhelm the human story at the center. Both Imager series, on the other hand, have done a pretty fair job of balancing the story with the intellectual introspection by the author. This second series, in particular, and most particularly in this latest book, has done a very good job of providing main characters that you can care about. Quaeryt, the protagonist of the entire second Imager series, has reached a point in his personal and status growth where his long-term goals are become more and more focused. The results of these plans are also becoming more concrete, often in ways that are devastating to everyone who stands in his way. Quaeryt's wife Vaelora here becomes an even more important and evolving character. As usual, the author can write very smart, compelling female characters, which is sometimes not the case in other fantasy fiction.

First Georgia garden

  • Posted on: 26 May 2013
  • By: Jay Oyster

I planted my first Georgia vegetable garden this past week. I turned a small plot just to the east side of our rental house in Roswell, using shovel, spade and garden fork. The soil is clay and dense and looks like it hasn't been disturbed in decades, despite the landlord swearing that she amended it and gardened on it often over recent years. My plot is no more than 6' x 20' in size.

I planted four tomato plants (beefsteak), six tomato plants, a row of carrots, two rows of green beans, and two rows of corn.  We'll see how this whole southern gardening thing  works out.

 

Added left and right guides with stop blocks

  • Posted on: 24 May 2013
  • By: Jay Oyster

I made some good progress on the chopsaw station project the last few days. Last night I managed to get guides installed on the left and right wings of the stand, including stop blocks mounted in some T-track I just bought from Rockler. The Rockler track was convenient because I could stop at the Rockler store down on Roswell road on the way home from work to pick it up. But after buying it I noticed that it's made in Taiwan. I'm not sure but I think the Incra tracks are U.S. made.

Finalized all 22 pendants for the show

  • Posted on: 8 May 2013
  • By: Jay Oyster

Pendant 2-06, Teardrop in African mahoganyI put four coats of spray gloss polyurethane to the pendants (with a final 400 grit light sanding before the final coat.) Glued on some stainless bails that Adriana had (Thank you, Baby!) Took some photos so I have a record of what I made now that I'm hoping to sell them this weekend, and if they don't go there, I'll add them to Adri's Etsy store.  I'm proud of the way these turned out. It emphasizes one of the main reasons I woodwork, I love the appearance of the material. I think that wood, when treated well, is more beautiful than cut gemstones. That's the main reason why I do these little pieces. 

Seafan pendant in cherry and sycamore, 2" x 3"